Westport field hockey's young and dynamic team looks to make state tourney

By Richard W Dionne Jr
Posted 10/10/17

The Westport field hockey team is the epitome of a young team. The nine freshmen on the team are the oldest players. They also have eight eighth graders, and three seventh graders.

“The team …

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Westport field hockey's young and dynamic team looks to make state tourney

Posted

The Westport field hockey team is the epitome of a young team. The nine freshmen on the team are the oldest players. They also have eight eighth graders, and three seventh graders.

“The team graduated two seniors last year. Our junior goalie didn’t return. We lost four players to Dartmouth and two to Bishop Stang, but a great core group of freshman decided to stay in Westport. They are young, but many of them have been playing field hockey since third grade, so don’t let their size fool you,” said head coach Michelle Duarte.

The team beat Sturgis East 1-0, on an unassisted goal by freshman Madison Avilla. The team is now 4-3 and is playing as an independent team for the second year.

“We were in the EAC and other local leagues are either Division I or full,” said the coach.

For a few years the program started to “wane a bit,” said coach Duarte adding, “The next four years and beyond look bright. this is a very close and hard working group. We have a lot of fun, but when it’s time to work, they give me all they have,” she said.

The team’s goal is to make it to the state tournament again. The team has been to the tournament the past few years.

“It is always a scary, but exciting experience for them. I am a total team kind of coach. While we have to split into junior varsity and varsity, I believe in being together as one, and that includes tourney. I can take 30 on my roster, and will always take 30. It is a great team experience,” the coach said.

The team does not have captain. Instead, it is a team effort by the ninth graders.

“I did not want to discourage leadership skills, so I am allowing them to step up in their own way and develop their leadership qualities,” said the coach.

Jessica Carney is the organized one who keeps them on track and does a great job managing on the field duties. Madison Avilla is always positive and encouraging and Julia Hurley does a great job running our cheers and end of practice stretches, she said.

The also have a “Spirit” captain that is nominated by the players and represents the team in captain’s huddles that week. Spirit is a little Wildcat stuffed animal that was created by the 2014 team in honor of Erika Hall, who passed that year in an auto accident.

“Erika was always smiling and laughing and had a great positive energy that made everyone around her happy,” said coach Duarte. Spirit is given to the player that demonstrates positive energy that week. Ninth grader Jacob Farias, eighth grader Sarah Carney and seventh grader Abby Zuber have earned Spirit captain this year.

Returning ninth graders Madison Avilla, Maya Bazinet, Jessica Carney, Jenna Carvalho, Julia Hurley and Ava Matos have really stepped up for us this year, said coach Duarte.

The team is good at seeing the field, making good decisions and they have great endurance and basic skills, said the coach.

First year seventh grader Molly Bazinet is the starting center-midfielder, an important position in field hockey.

“She is fast and has great ball control,” said coach Duarte.

“Overall, this team is a force. They are young, but they are dynamic and tenacious. I am excited to see where they will go in the next few years,” she said.

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