Covenant’s field hockey team that’s packed with players just getting their feet wet in the sport, has been a work in progress all season.
Tuesday afternoon, they showed just how far they’ve come with a 1-0 win over Steward in the LIS Division II semifinals.
The Eagles stayed calm during the hard-fought, nip and tuck game and one of those first year players, senior River Frazier broke through for a goal in the second half goal as the Eagles temporarily solved Steward’s defensive scheme that left a sweeper deep in the zone. From there the Eagles just held on.
“I think we were having a hard time connecting our passes so that was the goal for the second half, making sure we actually get the ball to our forwards and then work on the basics,” said Covenant coach Annie Gumbs. “They started really doing a great job of that in the second half.”
Frazier’s speed helped the Eagles finally figure things out as Steward couldn’t match up with the senior forward for the most part. Frazier’s goal was huge and was the culmination of some serious improvement throughout the year.
“We knew she had speed, heart and that she was a fighter,” Gumbs said. “But what she didn’t have is stick skills. She’s now had time for those stick skills to catch up to that speed.”
The relentless play of eighth grader Madison Fagan didn’t hurt either as she kept the pressure on Steward’s defense throughout the match.
“She always hustles, there’s no doubt about it,” Gumbs said. “As soon as she starts realizing what a huge role she has on the team, things are going to take off for her.”
The victory puts Covenant in the LIS Division II final against St. Anne’s-Belfield. The Eagles have absorbed 6-0 and 5-0 losses against the talented Saints and now get a third chance against their crosstown rivals at 3:15 p.m. Friday.
