St. Mary's field hockey dominates Saints Peter and Paul, 6-0: Our goal is the B Conference championship

St. Mary's School's football players attended a field hockey game to support their athletic director, Allison Fondale. St. Mary's dominated Saints Peter and Paul, winning 6-0.

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This past Monday, the school's football players gathered at the game to bid farewell to their athletic director, Allison Fondale. However, before the game, they found themselves captivated by the field hockey match taking place on the bleachers. They excitedly banged a drum that hadn't been seen in a year, and their cheers grew louder every time the ball made contact with a Saint stick. It was quite a spectacle.

The coach noted that this particular crowd was unusual, even for the football team's support of field hockey. However, despite the attention, it wasn't the reason why St. Mary's dominated Saints Peter and Paul with a score of 6-0.

Before the game, the team discussed the importance of three key elements: possessing the ball, patience, and playing with passion. Coach Zarchin believes that the team truly embodied these principles during the match.

Throughout the first half, the Saints (5-2) effectively shortened the field to about 70 yards. At times, it shrunk even further to just 30 or 40 yards. St. Mary's relentlessly pressured the Sabres' goalkeepers, resulting in goals being scored within just eight minutes.

Once the first goal was scored, the floodgates opened. Blair Bernard passed the ball to Addy Drain, who skillfully maneuvered it past the keeper's legs for one of her three goals. In the second quarter, Drain capitalized on a rebound off the keeper's legs to secure her second goal.

Freshman Paige Heary contributed the third goal with a swift penalty stroke that found the back of the net, much to the delight of her mother Sarah, who happens to be the school's volleyball coach and was able to attend the game without any scheduling conflicts.

As time expired in the first half, the Saints earned a corner. Finley Davidson expertly maneuvered the ball through the Sabre defenders, allowing Ava Boland to score the fourth goal.

Coach Zarchin commended the team's strong center of the field, particularly highlighting the contributions of Ava, Finley, and Natalie McLaughlin. She emphasized their relentless determination and the team's overall strength.

With a 4-0 lead at halftime, the Saints continued to dominate in the third quarter. McLaughlin swiftly passed the ball to Drain, securing her hat trick. Saints Peter and Paul managed to gain possession at times, even testing the Saints' defenders with a few shots on goal. However, it made little difference. Avery Bourke scored a goal for the Saints with just 17 seconds left in the frame.

Coach Zarchin made the decision to rest her starters before the fourth quarter. She wanted to make the game a celebration for Mrs. Fondale, but also wanted to showcase the team's strength to the rest of the school.

St. Mary's now has the opportunity to make a significant impact in the league as they face off against McDonogh, an opponent in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference, in Owings Mills on Wednesday.

Coach Zarchin's ultimate goal is to secure the B Conference championship and transform St. Mary's into a hockey school.

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