A year ago, the Hill Varsity Field Hockey team defeated Lawrenceville and won the MAPL league championship in a close 3-2 game on Cunningham field. The game was an exciting and satisfying finale to a strong 2016 Hill field hockey season.

For the 2017 season and her first year as head coach, Jennifer Weissbach has led the team, with captains Giavanna Tabarrini  ’18 and Maddie Mitchell ’18, to an impressive 13-4 record. However, the team doesn’t define success by wins and losses.

“This year, we’ve stressed working together and playing for somebody besides yourself,” Weissbach said.

The team has shifted from relying on their key players to focusing on passing more and communicating positively.

“The way we play is different. We’re not a one person team. We are strong all around,” said Mitchell.

A distinguishing part of Weissbach’s coaching style is stressing the importance of why something is practiced.

“When we are doing drills, Coach tells us why we are doing them,” Tabarrini said. “Every practice has a purpose.”

Weissbach believes the girls are the ones responsible for the impressive season.

“All the credit goes to the players,” Weissbach said. “They’re working incredibly hard this year.”

The team refers to themselves as the Hill Field Hockey Family or HFHF. The team decided early on that they wanted to be close.

“The culture of the team is essential,” Weissbach said. “We have a ‘One for all. All for one.’ mentality this year.”

The field hockey team is not only very encouraging of each other, but of other teams as well.

“Our team is very supportive of other teams because we are all a part of the Hill community,” Tabarrini said.

When asked if they were going to beat Lawrenceville, Tabarrini and Mitchell responded instantly, “Yes.” This year, Lawrenceville and Hill will again be competing for the MAPL Championship title on Lawrenceville’s turf.

“We need all 19 players to have a good game on Saturday,” Weissbach said. “It’s not going to come down to a few players. It’s a team sport.”

HFHF will compete against Lawrenceville this Saturday at 3:00.

“We’re coming for you, Lawrenceville,” Tabarrini said.