Some elements of Hotchkiss Day are predictable, high expectations, cold weather, rowdy fans, and kettle corn. And, then there is the unpredictable. Who will win the day? We really get to play the first game? Is that a snow rainbow? Facing the known and unknown tests a team, and in confronting those challenges teammates must trust one another, work together, and summon their determination to follow through on their goals. For the 2018 Taft JV field hockey team the goals were clear from day one: to play hard, to play smart, and to have no regrets. Today’s victory against a stellar Bearcat squad was the culmination of these goals and a spectacular season with a final record of 10-1-1 that included huge wins against perennial powerhouses Greenwich Academy, Deerfield, Westminster, and now Hotchkiss. Taft JV field hockey was the team to beat in 2018, which is no small feat in the Founder's League. Saturday's game against Hotchkiss was predictably intense. After playing to a 0-0 tie in the first half it was clear the game was up for grabs. This is when the Rhinos dialed in their game strategy to focus on maintaining possession, drawing the foul, and capitalizing on each and every opportunity to beat a Hotchkiss player to the ball no matter where it was on the field. The team followed through with the plan and it created the opportunity for Callia Ferraris to score the first goal of the game off a broken corner that was assisted by Andie Wardell who rebounded the ball onto the pads on the Hotchkiss keeper. With a mess of sticks in front of the cage, Ferraris dug in her heels and deftly beat the keeper stick side with a glancing shot. This goal set the momentum for the final 16 minutes of the game. During this time Taft and Hotchkiss battled on every inch of the turf. Goalie Emily Riccardi tallied five saves for the game with defender Katie Salnikoff coming up with a huge defensive save against a particularly perilous Bearcat fast break. She blocked the shot and then sent the ball flat to Brooke Marx who carried it out of danger. Midfielders Ferraris, Wardell, Lauren Villanueva, and Eva Witkowski worked tirelessly to channel the ball to safety using the sideline with great acumen and accuracy. Forwards Perry Allen, Julia Kunzelmann, Martha Lohuis, Maddy Meister, Lulu Brauer, Lulu Bradley, and Sadie Pollack rotated through the offensive line putting fresh legs on the field to optimize explosiveness on scoring opportunities. At the 4:30 minute mark Taft put its security goal on the board. Eva Witkowski slapped a free ball into the back of the net. The sidelines exploded! As expected, Hotchkiss pushed hard to goal as the seconds ticked off the clock. As part of this final drive, the Bearcats were award two corners. Taft dug deep and thwarted both of those potentially game-changing opportunities. On the second corner, defender Greta Cole blocked the shot and carried it safely to the 25 yard line as time expired. The team rushed the field and the rest was history! Congratulations to the JV Rhino’s for a fantastic and fun-filled field hockey season. This group of young women brought humor to every practice and intensity to every game. The coaches are very proud of you and are “yours in field hockey” always! Go Big Red!