By Avery Goodstine

The field hockey team lost 5-1 to the Gloucester Dukes in the playoff quarterfinals late last month. With PA as the eighth-ranked team and Gloucester ranked number one, the girls knew the game would be a challenge. However, they pushed through and ended the season happy with their 8-9 record.

Senior captain Evie Hanson scored the only goal during the game but was very proud of the way her team played.

“We knew it was going to be pretty tough and it was one to one the entire first half,” she said, “so that was good that we were holding them.”

Senior captain Emma Coleman said, “Our team had a lot of energy, which was really cool because we have been building momentum up the whole season.”

The captains claim they “didn’t get the best officials” and because of that, the girls lost some drive in the second half of the game.

“Everyone was trying to keep their heads up and play through all the things that were against us,” said Coleman.

Senior captain Lauren Hughes said, “All of the girls definitely put in a lot of heart and passion out on the field and we worked really hard and unfortunately let a few goals in.”

Overall, the captains are very proud of their team and how well they played throughout the season. The team dynamic also had a huge impact on their season.

“There was a lot of love between the girls,” said Hughes. “That is what made it fun and made me want to get up and go to practice and the games every day.”

Hanson said that this season “everybody put in the effort at practice and at games and even in summer conditioning,” and she hopes that the “drive and passion to play” continues on for years to come.

“There is nothing I regret from the season or would want to change,” said Hughes.