Broadneck Field Hockey Honing Their Skills

The field hockey team took to the field Thursday night against the Severn School in a game of the county’s “Breakaway High School Summer League.”

The league consists of 10 teams representing different county high schools. Games started the middle of June and continue twice a week until August.  

In this league, every win for a team gives them three points and every tie is one point. The two teams with the most points then compete in the playoffs. There is also one practice during the week, usually held at the team’s home school.

The Broadneck team consists of 30 players which include incoming freshman, junior varsity and varsity team members. Seven seasoned varsity seniors are the summer coaches and two, Gabby Klobucar and Jacelyn Faro, are the team captains. 

Kylie Siegal, sophomore, explained how the practices work. “Every Monday we meet at , since BHS fields are under-going improvements, and the seniors lead workouts, run drills and practice stick work. We all listen to the seniors because we respect their experience.” 

Broadneck had 11 players on hand for Thursday’s game held at Severna Park High School. Due to planned summer vacations, it’s expected that a fair number of team members will be missing at any given game or practice. Each half is 25 minutes long with a five minute halftime break. 

“Summer play is an opportunity for all of us to get our sticks used to each other before the season starts,” said senior Anna Haley.  She has already been accepted to the University of Iowa and verbally committed to playing field hockey for the university. 

Alyssa McDaniel, junior, agreed. “It’s a great way to get used to some of the newer players and it gets us in shape for tryouts and the fall season.”

A field hockey player has to be fast, have excellent eye/hand coordination and has to have good sense of the field as plays and positions change rapidly. Both Severn and Broadneck were quick to defend their goal and try to take command of the ball. Possession changed rapidly as each player aggressively played their position.

All throughout the game, the captains were busy substituting players and calling instructions to the players on the field. During the five minute halftime, the coaches were giving individual pointers and corrections that would hopefully help the Lady Bruins hand Severn a defeat. 

In the end, the two teams were too evenly matched and the game ended in a tie, with both teams earning one point towards the August championships.