The women’s field hockey team has started their season strong with four non-conference wins.

Goalie, Sara Amil, ’22, has had three shutouts and 20 total saves. Grace Weise, ’22, leads the team with five goals and Tess Muneses, ’23, leads the team with two assists, as of last week. 

Last year, COVID-19 prevented the team from having a full regular season, including the ability to play non-conference games. The team had an adjusted season in the Spring where they fell to Lynchburg in the ODAC Championship game.

The season was a “taste of what was to come,” said team captain Katherine Berman, ’22. The team only lost one member of the Class of 2021 which allowed other team members to step into leadership roles.

Now the athletes get to be close together again at practice, lift, the locker room and even birthday celebrations for each other.

“We have that ‘get to’ attitude about everything this year,” said head coach Gina Wills.

Berman said the group is “grateful for the moments we have together as a team.” 

Over the summer, the team is given a lift and conditioning packet to complete as off-season work.

“They worked really hard…and have brought that energy into the fall season,” said Wills.

Paige Mammorella, ’24, said the team takes a lot of risks.

“But they’re very rewarding,” she said. “We are a fight to the last-minute type of team.”

In their 5-4 win against Christopher Newport University on Sept. 11, the Generals scored four goals in the last 11 minutes of the game.

“If we’re growing together, then that’s the success we want to have,” said Wills.

The team is like a family, Berman said.

“It’s the underlying glue between all of us,” she said. “When we play together, we are the best team we can be.”

The team will play its conference rival, University of Lynchburg, Oct. 13.