Above: Varsity Field Hockey Team
Below: Junior Varsity Field Hockey Team
“Fun,” “hardworking,” and “supportive” are three words that describe Spalding’s Junior Varsity (JV) Field Hockey team. This year, both the JV and varsity teams had stellar performances, including beating seemingly invincible teams. The varsity girls set a new season record for consecutive wins, setting the bar even higher for next year with an impeccable 9-0 streak. JV had just as much success, with a perfect 8-0 season. Both teams broke several opposing schools’ winning streaks, including Broadneck and St. Mary’s.
Incredibly, in a streak of pure stamina and skill, Spalding Varsity Field Hockey breaks Broadneck Varsity’s 30-0 winning streak of two years. Huge rivalry has surrounded this game for years, boiling even higher due to weather rescheduling. Both Broadneck coach Shannon Hanratty and Cavalier coach Leslee Brady advocated to have the game rescheduled for Thursday, October 12th. Neither side could claim an advantage, as the Bruins matched the Cavaliers goal for goal. The third quarter seemed most dire when Coach Brady told her team “we were proud of them no matter the score, and that we believed in them” which “seemed to give them a lot of confidence.” This may have been the turning point, as Severna Park Voice reporter David Bashore suggests in his article “Spalding Snaps Broadneck Field Hockey Win Streak At 30.” Spalding scored twice in the fourth quarter, the last goal being an awe-inspiring penalty stroke in the final four minutes.
On the JV side, the Cavs had an impressive season, ending the year with their toughest game against St. Mary’s. With determination, Gracie Lamon ‘25 scored the winning goal against St. Mary’s rock-hard defense. Both the Saints and the Cavaliers battled for possession in an action-packed game. Every time the Cavs’ offense pounded away at the Saints’ defense, their offense gave back twofold. Spalding’s defense was invincible, always ready to return the favor to St. Mary’s if need be.
But did St. Mary’s never-ending resistance ever stop Spalding? Not by a long shot. With five seconds left on the clock, when there seemed like there was no hope, Naomi Doyle ‘26 intercepted a loose pass and took off with it. She shot it at the top of the circle, where it was saved by the St. Mary’s goalie, but the ball was miraculously tipped by her. Lamon saved the day when she sent the rebound flying by an unseemingly unbeatable team. After the game, the whole team was beside themselves, screaming and supporting Lamon in the winning goal.
This was not the end of JV’s outstanding season. Just two days later, the first-ever JV “Play Day” debuted. The Play Day included all the JV teams in the IAAM Conference. It was a tournament consisting of five teams, each team playing 30-minute full-field games. Each team played three games, and the girls did remarkably well, even while playing their toughest competitors: St. Mary’s, Notre Dame Prep, and Bryn Mawr. The Spalding Junior Varsity team had a strong showing, winning two games, and tying the third with St. Mary’s. The Play Day was successful in establishing friendly competition, but also cemented the team’s winning streak and improved their skills both individually and as a team.
Spalding Snaps Broadneck Field Hockey Win Streak At 30 | Severna Park
