The names and the faces may change each year, but in Mamaroneck, the one constant is expected success.
On Sept. 3, the Tigers field hockey team took the field for the first time since their state title win last November, kicking off their championship defense in with a rousing 14-1 victory over Pelham. But even though the Tigers shined in their opener, head coach Tricia Miller said there is still much work to be done as Mamaroneck’s newest crop of stars learns to acclimate to the rigors of varsity competition.
“We worked really hard, our stick-work was good, but we need to connect better and they need to get their footing as far as playing as a cohesive unit,” said Miller. “We’ve got a big time, so with the score being what it was, I tried to get a lot of people in, but everyone is still finding their legs.”
Kate Orchanian got things going early for the Tigers on Tuesday, tipping in Mamaroneck’s first goal of the year just five minutes into the game on an assist from Lily Brickman. The defending champs would never look back, effectively putting the game away before the end of the first half and staying perfect on the day outside of a first quarter goal by the Pelicans’ Lucy Cole.
Catherine D’Arcy would led Mamaroneck with four goals on the afternoon, while Ruby Pearson would chip in three goals and three assists. Brickman finished with a hat-trick in addition to her early assist.
Pearson—who serves as one of Mamaroneck’s captains alongside D’Arcy, Ali Maresca and Clare Greaney, said that she was pleased with the team’s play against Pelham and that Mamaroneck’s players are eager to see what they can do in 2024.
“We were just looking to come out, connect, talk and be on the same page,” said Pearson. “Obviously it’s our first game so there are still things that we need to work on in practice, but I think this was a good start.”
D’Arcy a mainstay on the Tigers’ roster throughout the years, explained that it is imperative for Mamaroneck veterans to help bring younger players up to speed, an especially important task considering the team graduated several players that were key to last year’s success.
“Being on the team for a few years now, it’s all about the team culture and welcoming people in,” said D’Arcy. “We’ve always been a close-knit group and that creates a good atmosphere.”
But if the Tigers hope to find out exactly who they are, they won’t be granted any sort of easy entry into competition this year. After the opener against Pelham, Mamaroneck will run an early-season gauntlet against top teams including Greenwich, Lakeland and Scarsdale in the span of just eight days.
This stretch, said Miller, will help the coaching staff further identify areas for improvement.“In the beginning of the season it’s always tough to play such good teams,” said Miller. “But at the end of the day, if we play them now or we play them later, they’re going to get that much better and we’re going to get that much better before the playoffs.
“It will be a good test for us to see who is winning these spots and where everyone is going to play,” she added.
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