The MS Red Girls Field Hockey team fought hard to earn a 1–1 tie against St. Mel, showing resilience despite not having their full roster available.
Playing with fewer players than usual, the team was forced to cover more ground throughout the game. With several players out due to sickness, injuries, and other activities, MS Red played with just six players compared to St. Mel’s nine. Still, their effort paid off as they managed to come back and stay level.
“We didn’t have our full team so we were playing down,” Head Coach Sue Hodgkins said. “Despite that, we were able to come back and tie the game. The girls had to run a lot and their effort paid off.”
The game remained tight throughout. Both teams scored early, but neither side was able to find the net again despite multiple chances.
“At first, I wasn’t worried about the score,” Jade Jasper ’31 said. “But as the game went on and we still hadn’t scored again, I started to get worried. The back end of the game was nerve-wracking, and we were getting pretty tired. We kept pushing, and even though we didn’t score again, everyone tried their best.”
The team found success when they used the space on the field effectively, especially along the outside, and moved the ball quickly with strong passing. After tying the game, their energy noticeably increased as they pushed for a potential game-winning goal.
“After we scored to tie the game, our players really increased their effort, feeling they could potentially get one more in the net to win,” Hodgkins said.
Several players contributed key moments throughout the game. Jade Jasper ’31 scored the team’s goal, while Eda Aksoy ’31 made multiple crucial saves to keep the game tied. Nishara De Silva ’31 helped move the ball out of danger with an important pass, and Lizzy Milakin ’31 played strong defense while pushing the ball upfield. India sprinted for loose balls, while Mabel and Mattie created opportunities by dodging defenders.
Despite being outnumbered six players to nine, the team continued to compete and support one another.
“Everyone on the team picked up the slack of the people missing,” Jasper said.
Even with the strong performance, the team is still focused on improving. Both the coach and players pointed to movement and spacing as key areas of growth, including dodging defenders, spreading the field, and communicating more clearly.
“Our communication was okay,” Jasper said. “It was good enough that there were no glaring errors, but it could have improved. We could have called passes and each other’s names on the field.”
As the season continues, the team is beginning to find its rhythm despite early challenges with injuries and absences. With one final regular season game against Chaminade before facing St. Mel again in the Delphic League semifinals, MS Red hopes to keep building momentum.
“The pressure of the games has tested their skills, and the team has responded to their struggles by wanting to get better,” Hodgkins said. “That’s a great attitude to have.”
For Jasper, the game still had a clear highlight.
“My favorite moment was scoring a goal,” she said. “The adrenaline rush is so real, and that made my entire week.”
Moving forward, the team’s goal remains simple: continue improving while enjoying the game.
