The Orchard Park Field Hockey team couldn’t have asked for a better start to their 2019 campaign; they tallied a pair of victories over Nichols and the newly combined West Seneca team earlier this week.
Orchard Park 4, Nichols 0
Senior co-captain Karli Gregoire, a 3-year veteran, tallied a hat-trick in the Quakers’ first outing, a 4-0 road win over Nichols.
Last year’s MVP and 2nd team all-star turned senior co-captain, Sara Puskar, helped Gregoire kickstart the scoring in the first half.
Grace Schmelzinger, the team’s lone sophomore, chipped in a goal of her own before assisting on Gregoire’s third of the night.
“Every game we decorate a water bottle to give to an athlete. It can be awarded for good play, good sportsmanship or something that they have done for our team,” explained Coach Callahan, who enters her 38th season with the Lady Quakers.
This award is typically given to a single player. However, following the game Coach Callahan felt two players were equally deserving of the honor and decided to give them each a decorated water bottle.. Karli Gregoire (hat-trick) and Grace Chojnacki for outstanding play in goal that led to her shutout.
Orchard Park 3, West Seneca 0
The Quakers notched their second victory, a 3-0 win over West Seneca, courtesy of another pair of goals from Karli Gregoire; the first being assisted by Caroline Roll and the second by Grace Schmelzinger.
Senior Sydney Bogoevski (assisted by Cailin Bender) scored the second Quaker goal.
“We plan to continue to work hard and find our way as a team. Presently we are figuring out our lineup, placing everyone where they will be most successful. It is forever changing!” said Coach Callahan.
While Gregoire and Puskar have already found their way onto the scoresheet, the third piece of OP’s trio of senior captains, Lauren Taips, has taken the lead in the backfield.
Also returning this year are Julia King, Sydney Bogovski, Saloni Patel, Genevieve Arnold, Morgan Hjemdahl-Monsen and Cassie Fowler.
Junior Grace Chojnacki will take over for the graduated Fab Adorno; Adorno was named to the ECIC I first team last season. She is now playing for the Cortland Red Dragons.
Lucy Piscitelli, Emma Walker, Katie Krawczyk, Caroline Calpin, Olivia Newlove, Abby Green and Hannah Hartung round out the Quakers’ 2019 roster.
Orchard Park will host East Aurora in their home-opener this afternoon at 5:00pm; Hamburg will visit on Wednesday, September 11th.
