A warm, muggy air settled low above the turf as the noise of the beltway resonated through the stadium. The RM field hockey team traveled to face the Blair Blazers in a game that was predicted to be a competitive match-up. After inching by with slim victories in the past seasons, the Rockets sought a more compelling win this time around.

The game began just as the setting sun cast a violet glow across the sky. It was quickly clear that RM had the skill and drive to give them an advantage. While the Blazers clumped and crowded together, the Rockets swiftly maneuvered between them and into scoring position. Despite RM’s early success, the pace of play remained very slow, and many open opportunities were overlooked.

Halfway through the first half, Head Coach Alie Brooks called her team into a timeout to discuss strategy and rally energy. While the girls agreed that their passing had been effective, they all vowed to be quicker on their feet. Once back on the field, the Rockets outran their opponents and pushed further into Blair’s territory.

Although the Rocket offense pressured the Blazers in the circle, many frustrating attempts yielded no result. However, there was no shortage of chances for RM’s forwards, as their defense worked together to keep the action up the field.

Finally, the Rockets earned the corner they had been waiting for off of a foot-foul. Senior Ella Scarano propelled the ball toward sophomore Caroline Maggio who waited by the goal-post. A simple touch from Maggio’s stick sent the ball spiraling toward the backboard, and RM took the lead.

The Rockets knew better than to settle with a one-point differential. As halftime came to a close, the players stormed the field once more, invigorated by their desire to expand their lead. It wasn’t long before senior Emily Conway found herself in the perfect position to receive a pass in front of the goal and redirect it into the netting.

To seal the lead, RM robbed Blair of possession and headed toward the goal once more. Scarano pushed past the Blazer defense, making her way across the circle. Her lethal lift drove the ball to the upper right-hand corner of the net, beyond the reach of the goalie.

Blair was not ready to accept defeat. With only five minutes remaining on the clock, the Blazers had a fast break down the field and beat the Rockets back. Just as a Blair forward managed to get a shot on goal, RM’s junior defender Caroline Cornish slammed her stick to the ground, intercepting the path of the ball and sending it back in Rocket possession.

The Rockets escaped with a more satisfying shut-out victory, but there was still much room for improvement. “We’re more of a second-half team this year,” commented junior midfielder Lily Merritt, “but I think we would be more successful if we showed that intensity earlier in the game.”

The team hopes to pick up a few more wins against upcoming opponents in the next week and carry their momentum into the postseason.

Featured photo by Taylor Thomas