Harrison field hockey team focused on improving game during tough season
By Skip Pearlman
The Harrison High field hockey team had an up-and-down season, closing out the fall at 6-10-2, after a quarterfinal playoff loss to five-time defending state champ Lakeland.
Huskies coach Sara Witmer said the season was a learning experience, and her players made the most of it – playing well against quality competition.
“I think we really focused on improving, and being ready every day,” Witmer said. “We had a hard time at the beginning, but as the season went on we got better. I don’t think our record indicates how the team played. We played some good teams well… we were knocking at the door. And I think that playing well made the girls hungry for next year, and they’ll work hard toward next season.”
Five players earned post-season honors for Harrison.
Junior, and second-year starting goalkeeper, Christina Decarlo and junior defender Elisa Arcara were named to the All-Elite and All-League teams. Junior forward Christine Cardascia earned All-Elite Honorable Mention and All-League recognition, and senior captain Grace Manning and sophomore defender Taylor Kelly were both named All-League
“Those five players really put in a lot of work during the off season,” Witmer said of the five post-season award winners. “They were really dedicated to improving – as individuals and as a team – and it really paid off for them.”
Harrison loses three starters to graduation, but Witmer believes this year’s experience will help the team reach a new level.
“We’ll move some people around, and we have a lot of people back,” the coach said. “If they continue to work hard during the off season, I think next season can be a good one for us.”
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