The varsity field hockey team played an intense game against the Blake Bengals on September 24. It was a question of which team was going to leave the field undefeated, as both the Blue Devils and the Bengals had not lost a game this season.

The team was confident going into the game, as they had not lost to Blake in field hockey in many years. The first of half of the game was a good start for the Bengals, as they took the offensive and kept the lead for the whole half. With the score 1-0, Blake winning, the half ended.

The Blue Devils were determined going into the second half to bring up the team’s score and take the lead. They came very close to doing just that, with multiple fast breaks and attempted shots at goal. Both Ferin Richardson and Angelica Eng scored in the second half. With a score of 2-1 and only 30 seconds left in the game, the team was very confident that their efforts in the second half had earned them a win. As Blake took up their last offensive drive towards the goal, the Devil defense took their positions and were ready to defend their goal andseal the victory.

With the clock ticking down, both teams came to face each other on Devil territory. The crowd watched anxiously as the Bengals moved in and managed to score one more goal to tie the game. The team was very determined after the goal to bring back their lead. Going into overtime, the Devils had many offensive fast breaks but could not manage to get the ball past the Bengal goalie.

With a great defensive hold against Blake and great blocks by goalie junior, Ashley Stennet, the team was unsuccessful in keeping the Bengals from scoring another goal and winning the game. About seven minutes into overtime, the team’s victory was lost, with a score of 3-2.

“I think it was unfair that we lost because we worked so hard and we deserved the win. Even the Blake players said we should have won. But overall, I think we played really well,” sophomore midfielder Shannon O’Hearn said. “We played most of the game on their half of the field. We really came out in the second half and showed we were determined to play a great game.”

After the team’s loss, they were determined to bounce back in their next game against the Kennedy Cavaliers. The team played Kennedy on Wednesday, October 1 and dominated the entire game, with a final score of 5-0.

“We are getting better every week--physically stronger, fit, and more confident. We are refining our technical skills, like stickwork and ball control, every day,” coach Kearney Francis said. “We are learning to take risks and be creative on the field. We are adding new offensive plays and defensive formations. We are learning to pay close attention to game-situations, like managing the clock and playing smart hockey. And most of all, we trust one another and believe in one another. That, to me, is the most important element of our growth thus far.”

The team is looking to bounce back from the Blake loss as they look to close out the regular seaon without a loss and make a run at another state championship.

Their final games are against Pooseville, Blair and Churchilll and fan support has played a large role in the success of the team.

The loss to Wooton High School last year was a big dissapointment for the team. The team has a long history of dominance and multiple appearances in state championship games under the leadership of Francis.