On Thursday night, the field hockey team took on the Atherton Ravens. Before the game, the underclassmen girls performed a dance to honor and celebrate their seniors.
First Half:
Manual started with the ball, as Naomi Fields (#2, 12) passed the ball to Stella Shuman (#16, 11) before emotions started running high. Chloe Cochran (#1, 11) subbed in for Fields. Manual’s offense started out promising, but Atherton quickly took possession of the ball.
Arienna Washington (#23, 12) swiftly regained possession back for the team, allowing Camille Hoekstra (#15, 11) to score the first goal of the night for the Lady Crimsons. Manual earned the first corner of the night, but it resulted in a missed shot. Atherton’s defense was high, but Manual stayed persistent and kept the ball in Atherton’s shooting circle. The Lady Crimsons quickly earned their second corner, allowing Charlotte Connally (#17, 12) to score.
After Atherton regained possession of the ball, it didn’t last long as Manual took it back, and Francis Fendig (#28, 12) scored another goal for Manual. Shortly after Atherton gained possession, the Lady Crimsons stole it back. Shuman earned Manual’s fourth corner, allowing them to put the score at 4-0. Atherton held the ball in Manual’s shooting circle for a while, but before they got a chance to score, Washington regained possession for the team with just under a minute left.
Manual earned their last corner of the first half with Washington beginning the play. Shuman quickly scored, putting the Lady Crimsons in the lead 6-0.
Second Half:
After a long sentimental break for Manual, Atherton began with the ball and kept it in their possession. Eventually Kinsley Yerkes (#8, 11) blocked their shots and regained possession for Manual. Juliette Palmer (#3, 11) kept the ball in Atherton’s shooting circle for a significant time, testing their defense. Atherton tried to gain possession again with their defense being higher than ever, but the Lady Crimsons stayed in the game.
With under two minutes left in the third quarter, Emilia Shuman (#22, 9) earned Manual’s seventh corner, and once again, Washington quickly scored another goal. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Fendig got the ball from Atherton and while they were trying to keep their defense steady, Annamae Spencer (#10, 10) scored Manual’s last goal of the night.
Atherton didn’t back down as they regained possession from Manual and earned their first corner of the night. It didn’t last long before Manual got the ball back once more and held the ball in Atherton’s shooting circle.
As the timer ran down and emotions rose higher and higher for the seniors, the Lady Crimsons worked together to prevent Atherton from getting the ball, leaving the final score at 8-0 in favor of Manual.
“We were so connected today. I feel like senior night always brings the entire program together, not just the varsity team. It starts all the way from freshmen, sophomore, juniors and all the way to seniors and we brought a win,” Washington said.
