Topic: Field Hockey

From Citizen-Times.com

WINSTON-SALEM — The Asheville High field hockey team will have to wait at least a year to win its first state championship.  The Cougars gave up one goal in each half Saturday and lost the championship match to Chapel Hill 2-0 at Wake Forest University’s Kentner Stadium.

The Cougars finished the season with a 22-2 record.

“We were pretty evenly matched,” said Asheville coach Lauren Kaye. “But I think (Chapel Hill) having a middle school program is a big plus. I get girls in the ninth grade, they get girls in the sixth grade. That’s a big disadvantage.” 

Kaye did say that the Cougars had chances to score on Saturday.  “We played hard, and everything I ask of them they do,” Kaye said of her players. “But (Chapel Hill) finished it, and we didn’t. We had some opportunities and weren’t able to do that.  Overall, 22-3 is a coach’s dream. We’re still a young team and next year could be more incredible. One thing we talked about afterward was that this was a true team effort.   There are 25 girls on the team, and every single one of them gave me something this season. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Asheville (22-2) goes for its first field hockey state championship today when Western North Carolina’s only public school program faces Chapel Hill. The match begins at noon at Wake Forest University’s Kentner Stadium.

“Of course, this is every coach’s dream,” Kaye said. “Just to see where this program has come from and hearing from all the past players has been special. Every time we step on the field, our players are taking on every challenge I give them.”

Collectively, the Cougars have a school-record 89 goals and 69 assists for the season. Four Asheville players have scored 10 or more goals: Elizabeth Keil (19), Elizabeth Gaston (12), Catherine Looper (11) and Caity Heath (10). Assist leaders include Kelly Olesiuk (14), Mallory Silver (13), Gaston (13) and Heath (12).

“No one at school really thought much about field hockey before, but since we’ve started winning, everybody is really excited,” Silver said. “We’re having a lot of fun. It’s just been an unbelievable season, and our team has such great chemistry.”

[CSN Comment:  Good luck Cougars!!!]

Reprinted from Prepalert.com

ASHEVILLE - October 26, 2007 - The Asheville field hockey team continues on it’s quest to win their first state title in their 19 years of existence.  They dispatched their semi-final opponent, the West Forsyth Titans, 2-0 to advance to the finals of the West Regional to be played on Saturday at 1:00.

In today’s 16th game of the season, we face RJ Reynolds. Our record is 14-1.

WOW! Saturday’s game was a thriller with both Asheville and E. Chapel Hill held scoreless in regulation play. Mallory Silver converted a pass from Rachel Nash to win the game 1-0. A great game had a superior ending. Hats off to the entire team for their wonderful efforts!

The next home game will be Tuesday, October 9 against Mount Tabor, the only team we have not played this season. Please note that Tuesday, October 16 will be Senior Night. Bring your hankies as we watch this fine group of Seniors play their last regular season home game.