Norfolk Academy was edged out in three losses to top teams from around the country at the Max Field Hockey Invitational in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, last week in a rugged test for the Bulldogs.
“The results did not go our way, but I thought we played very well over the three games and had many chances to win,” coach Natalie Holder said.
The Bulldogs fell 3-2 to St. John’s of Texas, the fifth-ranked school in in the West/Midwest region and No. 24 in the nation in Max Field Hockey High School Week 1 rankings; lost 2-1 to Bryn Mawr of Maryland, No. 2 in the Mid-Atlantic and 19th nationally; and 2-1 to Agnes Irwin, 12th in the Pennsylvania region.
“We had many opportunities that unfortunately we didn’t capitalize on, but we showed toughness and played together,” Holder said. “We were very tough defensively and we can continue to work on capitalizing on our opportunities inside the attacking circle and our attacking penalty corners
“Mia Jones and Sophia Galiotos were both excellent throughout the tournament. (Goaltender) Caroline Burroughs also played very well in the cage for us and came up with some key saves.”
First Colonial was also at the Invitational and endured losses to Palmyra Area of Pennsylvania (No. 11 nationally, No. 7 in the Pennsylvania region) and Staples of Connecticut (18th nationally, No. 2 in the Northeast region). The Patriots also fell 4-2 midweek to fierce Beach District rival Cox.
Other key matchups and performances last week:
Poquoson held off Hickory 5-4 in double overtime powered by Elizabeth Trant’s two goals and two assists. Sam Titko recorded seven saves.
Leah Orrock totaled four goals in a pair of 4-0 wins for Great Bridge over Deep Creek and Princess Anne. The Wildcats travel to face Poquoson tonight (Monday) at 7.
Izzy Zaszewski had a hat trick for Catholic in a 5-0 win over Cape Henry.
Grace Wright notched three goals and a pair of assists for Norfolk Collegiate in an 8-0 win over Nansemond-Suffolk.
Peyton Benz fired in a hat trick and Kalista Burrus chipped in four assists and a goal in Granby’s 7-0 win over Manor.
Western Branch has a pair of tough away games this week — Monday at Gloucester at 7 p.m. and at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Nansemond River.
Team, record, previous
1. Tabb, 5-0, 1
2. Norfolk Academy, 3-1, 2
3. Great Bridge, 4-0, 3
4. Cox, 2-1, 5
5. Poquoson, 5-0, 4
6. Nansemond River, 3-1, 6
7. Gloucester, 2-1, 7
8. First Colonial, 2-2-1, 8
9. York, 4-0, 9
10. Hickory, 6-0, 10
11. Catholic, 2-0-1, 11
12. Maury, 4-1, 12
13. Grafton, 1–1, 14
14. Western Branch, 3-2, 15
15. Cape Henry Collegiate, 4-1, 13
