By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
The Fluco field hockey team under Coach Karen Sible suffered a 9-0 defeat in their final home game of the season on March 30. In the post-game interview, Sible noted that she felt that her team played with a lot of heart.
Field hockey is a skill sport. Like lacrosse, it helps if a player is strong and fit and fast. However, stick handling skills and passing skills do not pop up overnight. It is not easy to stop and intercept a fast-moving pass with your stick on the ground, while running at full speed. Precision passing is also often required to set up a goal. Just legally advancing the ball is a learned skill, as the ball must stay on the ground and not pop up into an opponent’s body or face.
The Flucos disadvantage was clear against the much more experienced Black Knights from Charlottesville. The Fluco field hockey program is only in its second year. Most, if not all, the Fluco athletes have been handling a field hockey stick for only two years. Charlottesville high athletes have probably all been playing the sport since 8th grade or earlier. In the next few years, the Fluco athletes will undoubtedly close or eliminate the skills gap, but on this night, it was clear that the Flucos were no match for the Black Knights.
It was senior night for the Flucos, and seven seniors were honored. Midfielder Anna Snoddy, defender Caroline McCall, midfielder Cassie Wagner, midfielder Elle Dudzik, midfielder Sarah Profitt, midfielder Hannah Hilliard and defender Cheyanne Stone will all be graduating this year and most are moving on to a four-year school or to community college. Several of these athletes have competed for the Flucos in other sports as well. Coach Sible will have seven juniors and three sophomores returning and will have the pick of the up-and-coming JV team to work with next season.
