As the field hockey post season approaches, the OHS varsity team continues to be more competitive and determined than ever before.

At the beginning of the season, varsity made a goal for themselves to improve their record and ranking from last season. As they aim to fulfill that goal, the girls play competitively and work their hardest at every single game.

“Our coach (Christina Gambaro) plays a big role in us becoming more competitive,” said Erin Rossics (12). “She pushes us to do our best and never give up, especially when we are not winning.”

Entering the week with a record of 9-6-1, varsity won the silver division of the Public School Tournament on Oct. 7, winning the championship against Eureka 1-0 . The team has been able to keep a winning streak twice this season, and anytime they have lost a game, it has only been by one or two goals.

“We keep our scores so close by not giving up or losing hope when we start losing,” said Rossics, who scored the only goal at the Public School Tournament game against Eureka, “We fight the whole game, no matter if they (the opposing team) scored in the first or last two minutes of the game.“

During the first games of the season, the team struggled scoring goals. The team experimented with how many offense and defense players to put on the field, and have been able to score 30 goals during their 16 games they have had this season. In seven of their nine wins this season, they have scored at least three goals.

“We’ve been trying to score more because we have the potential to do it,” said Morgan Allen (11), “we just need to put out the right people in the right way.”

On Sept. 13, Varsity faced one of their fierce competitors, Cor Jesu. Last year, OHS lost 6-1 against them, and the girls were determined to make the scores closer this year. Although they lost 2-1, the girls felt the game showed all the progress they had made since the previous season.

“We were really proud of how well we played and proud that we proved how far we had come in one year,” said Stephanie Lato (11).

Varsity will play in the district tournament the week of Oct. 23, although a specific date has not been set yet.

“If we can keep up the intensity and energy we had during the tournament,” says Rossics, “I think we’ll end the season on a high note.”