On Thursday, the Crimson’s varsity field hockey team lost 4-0 to the Sacred Heart Valkyries in the Apple/Stick it to Cancer Tournament Semi-finals.
This is the 44th year of the Apple/Stick it to Cancer Tournament.
Each year Sacred Heart donates $5,000 to the James Graham Brown Cancer Center.
Last year in the KHSAA field hockey state finals , the Valkyries beat the Crimsons 3-1 in a tough loss.
That was the second time the two teams faced in a state championship game; the first being the Crimson’s first state field hockey championship ever in 2011.
With the Valkyries taking an early lead with one goal by Mattie Tabor (10, #28), one goal by Margaret Peters (11, #31) and the third goal by Sujin Kang (11, #19); the Crimsons knew they would have to play hard and it would not be an easy game.
The lady Crimsons struggle with connecting as a team early in the first half, “Today we were a step slow,” Head Coach Brittany Tolan said, “But overall we’re happy with the improvement were making.”
Going into the second half the Crimsons had to keep their heads up and keep fighting.
“We did play better this game, we played more as a team.” India Reed (10, #17) a sophomore who is verbally committed to play at the University of Louisville said. “Unfortunately we didn’t turn out the way we expected.”
After the Valkyries scored early in the second half again, the the Lady Crimsons controlled the rest of the game, made accurate passes and kept the ball in Valkyrie territory, but not being able to connect as a team and executing in the circle is what hurt them the most.
“We didn’t really come out,” Senior Captain Jordan Thompson (12, #50) said. “Hustle wise, I think we are able to stay with them but we kind of didn’t come out ready 100%.”
As time wound down the Crimsons faced their first loss of the season.
According to Coach Tolan getting back to the basics and working on the simple things, is what the team needs to do to improve.
“I’m ecstatic with the win, I thought we played well,” Eleanor Mitchell, head coach for the Valkyries stated. “I thought that Manual had a great team as well.”
The next time the two teams will play will be a home game for the crimsons on Sept. 20, 2016.
