As Bromfield’s varsity field hockey players head into the district playoffs, the junior varsity team ends its season on a 10-4-1 record.
Sophomore captains Charlotte Durham (forward) and Liz Polimou (sweeper, goalkeeper) led the team, along with sophomore Kate Connors (forward) with approximately 10 goals for the season. Despite the team’s nine wins, some games were particularly challenging for the girls.
Freshman sweeper Allison Milliken cites Oakmont as the team’s most difficult opponent. “We lost 1-0, but we were really close to scoring multiple times. Also, that game was on turf, which was something we aren’t really used to,” she reminisces.
Additionally, their season was marked by a significant change in lineup. Sophomore Audrey Hettinger, goalkeeper from previous seasons, suffered an ankle injury that kept her from playing this season, so Polimou stepped up to train as her replacement. Initially, Polimou says, she was terrified, but looking back, she thinks playing goalkeeper bolstered her “confidence and aggressiveness when [she is] playing sweeper.”
Freshman Nikki Bourque soon followed in Polimou’s footsteps, also wanting to give goalkeeping a try. Both Durham and Connors praised Polimou and Bourke for their willingness to step up to the plate. “They have both adapted really well,” said Connors, while Durham added, “I know they both would’ve rather been playing their regular positions.”
As much as the junior varsity girls play together on the field, they love playing together off the field as well. Durham cites a lot of the girls’ wins and successes on the field as a result of the team’s bond off the field and says she can’t wait to play with these girls again when she is a senior.
The junior varsity faced off against Stow on Monday and ended with a 2-0 score in their favor. Following the end of their season, Durham and Polimou will both accompany the varsity team into the district playoffs, along with freshman Kiley Russell (defense).
Casey Russell is a junior at the Bromfield School.
