The final whistle blew, and the scoreboard was set at 2:3. The Hill field hockey team’s successful season had come to an end. The girls helped each other up, tears rolling out of their eyes. However, they all looked determined. They might be defeated for now, but the Hill field hockey family will come back stronger than ever.

The Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association States field hockey tournament finals were played between the Hill School and Episcopal Academy at Proving Grounds in Conshohocken, Pa. on Wednesday afternoon. The Rams fell short after a last-minute goal scored by Episcopal Academy. 

Third former Riley Savage knocked open the scoring sheet in the first 15 seconds of the field hockey game by tipping a shot from her classmate Aubrey Turner ‘25. Savage scored another goal in the last quarter to pull the Rams even with five minutes left in the game. The assist went to midfielder Emilie Kirschner ‘23.

All the spectators were extremely proud of the spirit that the girls showed during the game. The associate director of athletics, Marcela Gaitán, said, “The girls left it all out on the field; they had a ton of heart, and I’m very impressed by this squad.” 

Head coach Jennifer Weissbach expressed her definition of Hill pride as well: “I’m incredibly proud of this group. They worked their hardest all season to be better teammates, to be better people.” 

Weissbach believed the team had one of the best seasons in program history, and there is nothing to hang their heads about. “I could not be more proud of this group. I hope they know how much I love them and I care about them, and we’ll find a way to get the job done next year,” she said.

Starting midfielder Maggie Kondrath ‘23 had no regrets after the game. “I think we really put in a good fight. Scoring first for us was a great team effort, especially since we lost 3-0 to this team last time we played,” she said. “We gave it our all, and we are going to get back here next year, and we are going to win it.”

In the final quarter of the game, starting defender and captain Rease Coleman ‘22 was sent off after a controversial call. “In sports, we only control the controllable,” assistant coach Gabriela Gomez said. She believed that whether it’s the wind blowing one way, or the umpire making the call, these are all irrelevant at the end of the day, and the team has to play through and gain experience from it. “We need to find a way to continue to play tough and stay composed in big moments,” Weissbach added.

The sixth formers graduating this year have a special place in everyone’s hearts. 

“The seniors have done such a good job creating the Hill field hockey culture and leaving a legacy for years to come, which is something they should really be proud of,” Gaitán shared.

Weissbach expressed her gratitude towards the sixth formers and said that HFHF wouldn’t be what it is today without them. “I owe them everything. They bought into my vision; they bought into me and this program,” she said. “I hope they know that they will always be a part of the Hill field hockey family.”

Kondrath added that the sixth formers will be greatly missed, and she is proud to be teammates with each and every one of them.

For the entire fourth quarter, the team played three third formers across the forward line. The dynamics between the older players and the younger players carry along on and off the field. “Our future is bright, and we are just getting started,” Gomez concluded.