By Christopher Tremblay

After participating in a season unlike any they have ever had to deal with, and one they hope they never have to encounter again, the Norwood Field Hockey is looking to get back to some source of normalcy this season on the field.

“We finished around .500 last year during a season of adjustments,” Norwood Coach Alison Doliner said. “In addition to having to wear masks with their goggles, playing 7-v-7 instead of 11-v-11 took time to adjust during a crazy year. The girls are just ecstatic and happy to be back to normal.”

Not only was it a year of uniqueness, but the incoming freshmen playing in their first season on the varsity squad never really got to play a high school field hockey game as it was meant to be played. Last fall, it was a game of spacing on the field instead of a game of position; now it’s back to basics.

“The now class of sophomores are a great class and always asking questions and our captains this year were fantastic in leading the team over the summer to get the team back to normal,” the Mustang Coach said. “The younger kids had played a different game last year during Covid so the captains were instrumental in helping them get back to playing the game the way it should be played.”

The senior quad captains who not only got the girls ready for the season but will also be leading them on the field, are twins Shannon (center mid-field) and Delaney (center back) Gover, Maddy Barry (left mid) and Talia Fruci (goal). All four captains have been on the varsity squad since their freshman campaign and have been a consistent part of a team that went to the playoffs while understanding the tradition of Norwood field hockey.

In addition to the senior captains, Doliner will also be relying on four other seniors to bring experience and knowledge of the game to the field while passing down the way the Mustangs run their field hockey program. 

Starting center forwards Jenna Costa and Bella Lirette, along with forward Sarah Welch and midfielder Lizzie Cardini, are all dedicated athletes to the sport and the Norwood coaching staff is hoping that the seniors will be the examples on and off the field. 

“These girls are not only dedicated to the sport, but the town and the youth program while keeping our tradition strong,” Doliner said. 

Through the early part of the fall season, defensive left back Meredith Cannon has really stepped her game. According to the Doliner, she worked extremely hard during the offseason and had brought it to the field in an obvious fashion. Abbie Lee is bringing speed and versatility to the Mustang’s midfield. 

Two other athletes that Doliner is looking to help the team this year are Sophie Krusz and Georgia Davey. Krusz is also an ice hockey player that brings great hand and eye coordination to the field as well as strong stickwork, while Davey is a junior defender that gives Norwood versatility. She is also another one that works hard at practice and brings it to the game.

Newcomers to the team are sophomore Lindsey Rogers and junior Caroline Forest. Rogers, typically a forward, has been assessing her skills at defense and thus far has given the defensive unit a sense of speed. According to Doliner, it’s not easy being a newcomer but Rogers has done everything that the team has asked of her in the early goings. Forest, who has been on the junior varsity team, is making her first appearance on the varsity squad; she brings an athleticism to the team’s forward line. 

Along with Rogers and Forest, Doliner also has six freshman who have impressed the coaching staff with their drive and willingness to work hard. Those incoming first-year athletes are Emily Spadorcia, Bridgette Connelly, Shea Larkee, Ava Hines, Bridgette Sopel, and Ava O’Neil.

As in the past, Norwood is looking to be competitive in the Tri-Valley League while reintroducing themselves to their opposing foes once again this fall.

“With the way things were set up last year due to Covid,  we didn’t see a lot of the regular league teams,” the Mustang Coach said. “We only got to play an abbreviated schedule against teams that were close distance wise, so we basically haven’t seen a good amount of the league teams in almost two years.”

With everything up for grabs within the TVL this fall, with teams not knowing exactly what they are up against, one bad game could spell disaster. Despite entering the first round of games against the league blind, Norwood is looking to be competitive while battling it out for the top spot within the league. If all things go as Doliner plans, the Mustangs goal would be to win the TVL.