HOLDEN — They’ll be the first to admit that they had this one in the win column, only to let it slip away.
For the Wachusett Regional High varsity field hockey team, that is precisely what occurred in the Oct. 4 game versus visiting Shrewsbury High. The Mountaineer girls sprang out to a 2-0 advantage on goals by Kaleigh McGurl and Jordan Jarvi (assists to Lilly Chaisson and Lindsey McGurl) and appeared headed for victory over the rival Colonials.
But not so fast, as Shrewsbury would answer back with their own pair of goals in the second half. Each team struggled mightily to break the deadlock down the stretch, but it was not to be. Wachusett was forced to settle for a 2-2 tie and in the process, saw their record slip to 5-1-2 on the season.
“We need to start out strong and get our heads in the game early and keep the momentum going forward,” explained senior co-captain Kaleigh McGurl. “Even if we’re up, we can’t take a step back, because we can’t afford to be cocky. That makes us beatable like we were today. Tonight is our senior night, and we were all riding pretty high. We had a lot of chances but weren’t able to capitalize. Making sure we’re on the same page going forward will help us a lot.”
“They know that every game they have to go in giving 100% for 60 minutes, and we have to work on that where we’re intense throughout the whole game,” added head coach Kerry Berry.
Talented and experienced seniors form the nucleus of this squad. Their crisp passing and timely shots on net solidify their relationships, but it’s the off-field camaraderie that makes this team a joy to watch. Competing together has helped put this bunch in a place that should be a lock to go high in playoffs, but first things first, all say.
“Many of these girls have played together for four years,” Berry said. “They’re great together out on the field. They know where everyone is, and it’s special, because that doesn’t last forever. Some of these kids played youth for me in third grade, and I know they’re dedicated and work hard. This is a special year.
“I feel like we have a good core group with seven seniors who all start. They have such great game experience. They have great field hockey IQ, so it’s time to capitalize.”
“I think we’ve really improved since the beginning of the season,” said senior co-captain Ella Perry. “A big thing for us to focus on is capitalizing and finishing. We were doing really well moving the ball up and down the field, and we just have to work on executing. At the beginning of the year we started out kind of slow, but now we’re working well together as a team.”
“I think that overall as a team we’re very strong,” added Kaleigh McGurl. “Our confidence on and off the field is growing each game. It’s growing as a team. It’s nice that we’re all growing together.”
“It was definitely a tough loss, and we didn’t capitalize when we should have,” said Lindsey McGurl, Kaleigh’s twin sister and senior co-captain. “We had many opportunities, and this team has what it takes to go far. But tonight was very special, and the team bond will always be something we’re thankful for.”
The clash with rival Shrewsbury was also highlighted by Senior Night for the class of 2024. Recognized were Ella Perry, Kaleigh McGurl, Lindsey McGurl, Lizzie Sawyer, Jordan Jarvi, Julia Kirton and Lillianna Chaisson. Underclassmen took turns speaking to the crowd giving tribute to the departing seniors.
“All in all, it’s a very emotional night for all of us,” Perry said. “At the beginning of the year, we all talked about how we work together as a team because we’re a well-knit team of friends. We all put a lot of passion into playing this game, and it shows.”
All three captains have committed to taking their talent and skills to post-grad level, with Perry attending Endicott College and the McGurl sisters heading to UMass-Lowell.
Members of the 2023 Wachusett Regional High varsity field hockey team are Kaleigh McGurl, Lindsey McGurl, Ella Perry, Teaghan Steele, Sydney Marshall, Lillianna Mitchell, Somer Staiti, Lillyana Bumpus, Kendall Grady, Ella Guertin, Emerson Johnson, Halle Remillard, Lily Saben, Lily Staiti, Annabel Stow, Lillianna Chaisson, Jordan Jarvi, Julia Kirton and Lizzie Sawyer.
