Taft traveled to Greenwich with high expectations and returned to Watertown rewarded with a 2-0 victory over perennial powerhouse, GA. Goalkeeper Lila duPont earned her first shutout of the season. The tempo, stickhandling, and strategy executed during this game can best be described as a pinnacle of achievement for these student-athletes. The contest opened with Taft taking immediate possession of the pass-back. This initial charge to the goal by Perry Allen set the tone as the team rallied around the leadership of Upper Mids Allen, Julia Kunzlemann, and Andie Wardell. The next fifteen minutes of the game were a series of unrelenting drives by both the Rhinos and Gators towards their respective goals. Callia Ferraris, center-mid, took charge of the midfield playing the whole field with creativity and confidence. Her stick appeared magnetic, as Ferraris deftly handled ball-after-ball as GA attempted to advance their play. During the first half, Taft was awarded three penalty corners and GA two. Neither team was able to convert on one of these golden opportunities, however, it helped create momentum for the Rhinos who had seven shots during the first period. The team was clearly goal hungry and out to prove that they are amongst the top of the league this season. This persistence paid off at the 11:53 mark when Lulu Brauer expertly wove the ball into the crowded offensive circle and launch it towards the goal. The GA keeper made the save but underestimated the rebound which found itself on the stick of Julia Kunzelmann who slammed the ball home to put Taft on the board 1-0. The elation of scoring this goal both motivated and tempered the Rhinos who knew there was still a lot of field hockey to play. For the final minutes of the first half, the team worked diligently on the core skills of the program: possession, passing, and positioning. Andie Wardell modeled these skills to the highest level making numerous full-field sprints to recover on defense in order to support Greta Cole, Katie Salnikoff, Mary Hayes and goalkeeper, Lila duPont. The defense was assisted by the entire team with Brooke Marx, Eva Witkowski, and Lauren Villanueva showing their fitness in key roles throughout the game. The second half proved to be a continued nailbiter as the margin of victory was far from secure. The Rhinos knew what was in store for them from this talented Gator's team and had the resolve to stick with the game plan and, importantly, to trust one another. This trust allowed the Taft athletes to take risks and to, eventually, reap the rewards. In the midfield, Ferraris, Bradley, and Wardell utilized the back pass motion vis-a-vis the center back, Greta Cole. On the front line, Allen, Kunzelmann, Marx, and Brauer filled in space in order to maximize each opportunity. Sophia Sheumack, Anna Wice, and Maddy Meister filled in at key moments, and in various roles, not missing a beat. At the 20:45 mark good fortune shined on Taft as a GA goal was invalidated and instead called a corner. Goalkeeper duPont shut down this scoring opportunity with a decisive save and the ball was carried to safety on the steady stick of Mary Hayes. Five minutes later Wardell saved the day with a diving defensive save that was picked up by Katie Salnikoff and cleared up the left side. Time and again, GA attempted to get on the board but was thwarted by the teamwork of the Rhinos. As the minutes dwindled on the clock the 1-0 Rhino advantage was simultaneously exciting and excruciating. The ball was flying up and down the field with both teams set on scoring. At the 4:00 mark, Lulu Bradley had two consecutive shots from the left low post and despite her excellent positioning, she was unable to convert. At 2:34 Taft earned a penalty corner. Off the insert from Wardell, Lulu Brauer took possession, set the ball and then launched a blistering shot into the cage. The force by which the ball hit the back of the cage caused a deafening sound, like a cannon being fired, which was followed by the uproarious cheers from the team. With two minutes remaining Taft settled into its stall possession; never an easy task, but helped greatly by GA's pristine turf field. As the seconds slowly ticked off the clock, the Rhinos moved the ball with confidence anticipating the reward of their hard work which was celebrating as a team. And, that they did, rushing the field to congratulate the keeper and to give a raucous cheer before shaking their opponent's hands. This game is the stuff of memories, with the added bonus for the coaches of watching the group smile all the way home to Watertown, savoring what they had just achieved. Go Big Red!