Casey Walsh accepts the team's Most Improved Player award from Coaches Parkhurst-Ascher and Brennan and the fall sports awards dinner.

Chelsea Fowlow accepts the team's Most Improved Player award from Coaches Parkhurst-Ascher and Brennan at the fall sports awards dinner

      Vermont Academy's field hockey team plans to return to full varsity status in the fall of 2012. Losing only one impact senior (and two seniors who were new to field hockey this year), VA returns several excellent sophomores and juniors, and some promising freshmen.

     The Wildcats look forward to being competitive in the Lakes Region in 2012.

The Tilton Rams varsity team came to VA today for a rematch of the Wildcats' first game of the season.

For most of the first half, play was fairly even. The Rams notched the first goal of the game with a strong crossing pass and a beautiful deflection. They scored a second goal before VA got on the board. VA scored its first goal on a great cross from Ashley Potofsky. Chelsea Fowlow converted with a great deflection. The score remained 2-1 as the final minutes of the first half ticked off the clock. With just over ten seconds remaining in the half, VA surged down the right side of the field. After a scramble in the circle, VA scored a beautiful goal, up into the net, just as time was expiring. One official signaled for a goal; the other consulted with her partner, convincing her that time had run out before the ball crossed the plane. In a controversial end to the first half, the VA goal was not counted.

Frustrated, but not defeated, the Wildcats took the field hoping to get back on the board in the second half. Before the game was over, Chelsea Fowlow had another goal (with an assist from Elkanah Linder). Unfortunately, defensive lapses allowed Tilton to score more unanswered goals, and the final was 7-2, in favor of the Rams. The Wildcat defense did not allow Tilton to score on any of its penalty corners.

The Wildcats tried not to let their frustrations get the better of them, and the coaches are proud of their sportsmanship.

Molly Brennan had several stops on the goal line as VA's sweeper, and Ari Beauregard was awesome in net with 24 saves!

GO VA!

The VA Wildcats traveled to New Hampton today for a 5:30pm contest on the turf, under the lights. The girls were excited to play since their last two games had been canceled due to the Oct. 29 snow storm.  VA prevailed over the New Hampton Huskies' JV team, 7-1.

Ashley Potofsky started off the scoring within the first minute of play, and VA carried the momentum from that point. All seventeen players contributed to the win, with four different scorers and a strong defense. Sam Gillingham notched two goals and an assist; Liz Richards got on the board with one goal; and Carly Radovich had her first career hat trick on the day. Senior captain, Chelsea Fowlow, set up several of the scoring plays with great runs and crosses from the left wing.

Ari Beauregard had another great game in the net. Leading the defense with great positioning and strong stick skills were Casey Walsh, Anne Bartel, Molly Brennan, Marina Berger, Isabel Alvarez, and Amelia Powers. The midfield was strong today with Aileenka Hardesty, Elkanah Linder, and JoHanna Rifai pushing the forward line up. Freshmen Rachel Montesano and Eddie Miller got some great time on the wings.

The New Hampton girls were upbeat and feisty throughout the game, and the Huskies' goalie did a great job with a least 13 saves.

VA wraps up its season with a re-match against its first opponent of the season, Tilton's varsity team.  The Wildcats look forward to that contest on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at HOME.

The Wildcat field hockey team was disappointed to learn that its game at Cushing had to be canceled on Wednesday.  Due to the snowstorm, demand for the turf field at Cushing was great, and we did not get to play.

VA will be on the road, this FRIDAY at New Hampton School for a 5:30pm game under the lights.

The VA Wildcats were scheduled to play the varsity team at Wilbraham & Monson Academy this afternoon. The "powers that be" were hoping that the forecasted snow would hold off until after the game, but Mother Nature did not cooperate.

This afternoon was a great example of the spirit and resilience of VA students. After driving almost two hours down to WMA for the game and doing their warm up lap in the snow, the girls were informed that the game was, indeed, off. Instead of complaining about traveling all that way not to play a game, the girls began tossing snow balls, making snow angels and running around in the snow. The WMA players and coaches were gracious in thanking us for making the trip.

The drive home took more than three hours in very difficult, snowy conditions, but the girls sipped hot chocolate and sang at the top of their lungs.

We hope to re-schedule this game, but in the meantime, the Wildcats look forward to their next game AT Cushing on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

In only its second year since being revitalized as a sport at VA, the field hockey team is playing a "hybrid" schedule this year, competing against some JV and some varsity teams. The VA Wildcats hosted the KUA Wildcats yesterday in one of five varsity contests the team will have this season.

VA welcomed the challenge and demonstrated some good improvement since last Saturday's loss. The defense had plenty of action yesterday as it fended of many attempts by Kimball Union. VA held KUA to one goal in the first half and one goal in the second half. Ari Beauregard was phenomenal in net, garnering 20 saves. KUA was not able to convert any of its 13 corners due to great defensive efforts from Molly Brennan, Aileenka Hardesty, Casey Walsh, Marina Berger, Elkanah Linder and Amelia Powers. 

The offense had a few chances in the circle but was not able to convert. The Wildcats will contine to work on passing and team offense as we head into the last two weeks of the season.

VA heads to Massachusetts on Saturday for a 2:30pm game against the varsity team at Wilbraham & Monson.

On a chilly Parents Weekend afternoon, the Wildcats fell to the visiting Bellows Falls varsity team, 4-0.  In its first test vs. a varsity team since the opening game of the season, VA found itself in the hole early. The Terriers gained momentum right away, scoring within the first two minutes of the game. Bellows Falls continued to display good stickwork and disciplined teamwork, and the Wildcats realized that they were outmatched. Ari Beauregard had a great day in net with 19 saves.

The Wildcats will have to elevate their play to compete with the Kimball Union varsity team on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Eleven days after their last game, the VA Wildcats traveled to Kimball Union Academy this afternoon to play against the other Wildcats.  On a rainy, chilly afternoon, VA prevailed over KUA's JV team, 4-0.

The time off was evident as the girls had trouble finding a groove and playing together. VA was lucky to fend off several strong penalty corners from a disciplined KUA team. Ashley Potofsky led the offense today with two goals, two assists and several good passes up field. Liz Richards got into the game at wing and scored another of VA's goals. Molly Brennan, moving up from sweep to link, scored the final VA goal. Ari Beauregard did another great job in the net.

The Wildcats look forward to a challenging next few games. Bellows Falls High School Varsity will come to VA at 1pm on Saturday, Oct. 22.

The VA field hockey team hosted Northfield Mount Hermon's JV team today and came away with a 4-0 win to increase the winning streak to five.

The Hoggers played good, tight defense and their goalie turned away at least 13 shots from VA. Wildcats did manage to slip four goals past NMH. On offense, Chelsea Fowlow had several great break aways down the left wing with strong crossing passes. Carly Radovich (2), Aileenka Hardesty (1), and Casey Walsh (1) converted the goals while Ashley Potofsky led the team in assists. Unfortunately, the Wildcats were not able to convert any of their eight penalty corners into goals.

Walsh was also instrumental in the midfield with non-stop effort offensively and defensively. Ari Beauregard had one save in the nets for VA.

The Wildcats have a hiatus in their schedule until they return to action at Kimball Union on Wednesday, Oct. 19th at 2:30pm.

The Wildcats extended their winning streak to four games today in a convincing 7-1 win over the visiting Williston JV team. 

The first half was the best team play the coaches have seen yet this season from the young squad. Passing on offense and good cutting to the ball led to several great scoring plays. Defensively, the team allowed only one goal with ten saves in net from Ari Beauregard.

On offense, Ashley Potofsky, Chelsea Fowlow, Carly Radovich, Casey Walsh and Aileenka Hardesty had some great passing. Also contributing to the offensive effort with good crossing passes was Sam Gillingham. Defensively, Molly Brennan was very steady at sweeper, and Amelia Powers made several good stops, including one on the goal line.

Chelsea Fowlow had a standout day with several runs down the wing, great passing and three goals. Carly Radovich notched two goals, with assists from Sam Gillingham (2). Ashley Potofsky and Monique Yingling rounded out the scoring with one goal each. Potofsky and Hardesty also contributed assists in the effort.

The second half was sloppier than the first. The coaches hope to build on the girls' excellent play in the first half as the Wildcats prepare to host Northfield Mount Hermon this coming Saturday, October 8th.

The VA field hockey team traveled to Proctor Academy this afternoon and came away with a 3-0 victory over the Hornets' JV team.  Despite the beautiful field and the great weather conditions, the Wildcats were slow to find their usual up-tempo style of play. Play resided primarily in our offensive end, but we failed to convert several scoring opportunities and corners. At the half, the score was 1-0.

In the second half, the Wildcats worked better together on offense, and the defense also turned away a few good breakaways by Proctor. In the end, the girls did convert a few more opportunities, finishing the game at 3-0.  Ashley Potofsy notched two goals, both assisted by Chelsea Fowlow. Sam Gillingham had a beautiful goal on a deflection by the post.

VA field hockey is back in action next Wednesday, Oct. 5th at Williston.

In their home opener, on Alumni Weekend, the VA Wildcats hosted the New Hampton JV field hockey team today.

The Wildcats continue to improve in their team play moving the ball around and spreading out the play. Five different players accounted for the scoring of six goals. Most of the play was on the VA offensive end. Goals today were credited to Hanna Rifai, Molly Brennan, Chelsea Fowlow, Carly Radovich, and Ashley Potofsky (2).

Sixteen different players got into the game, in many different positions, contributing to the win today.

The Wildcats are back in action AT Proctor at 2pm on Wednesday, Sept. 28th.

The VA Wildcats had a great win today at Deerfield against a very skilled and poised Green JV team. The game was fast-paced on the turf, and using a new line up, VA was able to capitalize, scoring three unanswerd goals.

The offensive unit of Carly Radovich, Ashley Potofsky, Chelsea Fowlow, Sam Gillingham and Monique Yingling took advantage of moving the ball up the field quickly. They were well supported by links, Casey Walsh, Aileenka Hardesty and JoHanna Rifai. The defense was well-positioned and they kept VA keeper, Eddie Miller, from even touching the ball.

With great assists from several teammates, sophomores Carly Radovich (2) and Aileenka Hardesty (1) notched the goals for the Wildcats.

VA field hockey looks forward to its first home game of the season this coming Saturday, Sept. 24th vs. New Hampton.

Go Wildcats!

Without any previous competition under their belt, the Wildcats took on the Tilton varsity this afternoon in New Hampshire. The team came up short on the scoreboard, but the coaches were pleased with what they saw. We also learned a lot about what we need to work on. Look for improved team play in upcoming games.

A standout all over the field was sophomore Casey Walsh. Hustling through the midfield and always in good position, Walsh helped to stifle several attempted Ram goals and did a good job of setting up the offense.

The Wildcats are back in action at Deerfield on Wednesday, Sept. 21st.

The Wildcat Field Hockey team looks to build on its 2010 success by having pre-season training starting on September 1st. Many returning players will be joined by several new athletes to VA! The future looks bright for VA field hockey!

Please contact Coach Brennan (wbrennan@vermontacademy.org) if you are planning to return for pre-season and you have not already been in touch.