by Jonny Levenfeld

After a slow start to the season, field hockey, 2-1-1, is back on track with two consecutive wins.

According to senior Lizzie Reid, a captain with juniors Kat Hansell and Lea McDade, the beginning of the season has been a “learning experience” for the Tigers’ young team, with only a few starters and seniors returning this year.

The team has been handicapped with a key injury, as sophomore Rachel Hamilton, a starter on last year’s team, will be sidelined for 2-6 more weeks. In Hamilton’s absence, senior Hannah Jang, junior Maddy Mayer, sophomore Gabby Norwitz, and freshman Olivia Ferry are among players who have stepped up of late, according to Reid.

In their first contest, the Tigers were shut out at home 7-0 by an undefeated Walpole squad that has an average margin of victory of more than five goals through six games. The Tigers next faced Milton on the road and drew a 1-1 tie. The team then toughed out two hard-fought victories in exciting fashion against Natick and Braintree at home, winning both games by just one goal.

Going forward, the team will continue to strategize and work on building team chemistry, according to Reid. “We have really stressed communication and spacing,” she said.

Based on the team’s performance in the last couple of games and the way players took on a bigger role in Hamilton’s absence, Reid believes the Tigers have it in them “to make a statement” this year.