The Gloucester High School varsity field hockey team finished the season at 18-1 after a 2-1 loss to the First Colonial Patriots of Virginia Beach on Nov. 9 in the VHSL State Tournament quarterfinals at GHS.

It was a great game played on both sides of the field. The teams were notched in a scoreless battle into the fourth quarter before the Dukes opened scoring with seven minutes remaining. Lily Perger scored the opening goal, assisted by Alexis Adams.

The Patriots, however, struck back quickly with two goals of their own in the next four minutes. The Dukes could not convert two penalty corners in the closing two minutes and the Patriots won, 2-1. Both teams managed 10 shots on goal and Gloucester earned 14 penalty corners while the Patriots had seven.

“They have had a tremendous season overall,” said first-year Gloucester varsity coach Joe Dougherty of his team. “No one on the field hung their head because they know they gave everything they had.”

Dougherty said the futur...