Senior Aliza Maki moves the ball into scoring territory in front of the Northbridge goal. Bromfield went on to win the first game of the district playoffs 3-1, and will play again on Friday, Oct. 31. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Bromfield’s Lady Trojans and St. Bernard’s Lady Bernardians played against each other on Saturday, Oct. 25, but they were not fighting for goals or for possession of the ball. They were fighting against Friedreich’s Ataxia.
Saturday marked an unprecedented benefit game between the two teams, dubbed “Field Hockey Fighting FA.”
The game was inspired by the example of a 2008 St. Bernard’s graduate, Kaela Mullaney, who was diagnosed with FA at age 8. Her disorder forced her to leave her competitive dancing; but as a freshman, she picked up field hockey and continued to play until her body would no longer allow it. She never left the program, however, and served as the team’s manager until her graduation in 2008. Mullaney’s younger brother, Joey, was also diagnosed with the disease.
A tribute to two siblings
As a tribute to the Mullaney siblings’ struggle, both teams wore baby blue hair ribbons and collected donations for FA research.
According to Joan Mullaney Hodskins, coordinator of the event, Friedreich’s Ataxia, though the most common of the muscular dystrophy disorders, affects only one in every 50,000 people in the United States. Characterized by symptoms such as unusual balance issues and muscle weakness, a genetic mutation causes the spinal cord and peripheral nerves to degenerate, and eventually causes the patient to lose ambulatory control. Kaela and Joey Mullaney require motorized scooters and wheelchairs to get around. As a complication, the disorder may also cause diabetes, kidney damage, and heart disease.
The siblings attended the game not only as the inspiration, but as the cousins of Bromfield senior Kathryn Hodskins. Joan Mullaney Hodskins, Kathryn’s mother and Kaela and Joey’s aunt, was inspired by fundraising efforts from Kaela’s lifelong friend, Brianna Mahoney. Mahoney organized a “Cureoke Night” at the Leominster Elks, with proceeds benefitting FA research. Mahoney will also participate in “Ride Ataxia,” a benefit bike ride in Orlando.
As for game play, Bromfield secured a 3-0 victory over St. Bernard’s, with goals from seniors Aliza Maki and Colby Newsham.
Regular season ends with win over Littleton
The varsity girls ended regular season play with a win the following day against Littleton in a tight, intense, 1-0 game. Senior goalkeeper Moira Morgan, with countless saves, refused to let Littleton answer a first-half goal from senior Casey Russell. This crucial win propelled the Lady Trojans to the Mid-Wach Division C league champion title, which they share with Oakmont. In league play, the two teams share a season 7-1-2 record.
Bromfield, the number three seed in its division, played in the MIAA Division 2 sectionals against number 14 seed Northbridge on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at home. Bromfield won the game 3-1, and will play again, Friday, Oct. 31 against Auburn or North Brookfield.
Casey Russell is a senior and a member of the girls’ varsity field hockey team.
