The Gloucester High School varsity field hockey team, under the direction of new coach Joe Dougherty, will open the 2021 season with a host of Hampton on Tuesday.

Hampton is one of only eight field hockey teams in the Peninsula District this season. Following their matchup with the Crabbers, the Dukes will host the Granby Comets of Norfolk next Thursday, Aug. 26. The Comets are in the same VHSL region as Gloucester.

Dougherty said his players are very well spread across all grade levels. While the team lost four players to graduation, only two were starters. This fall, the team will be led by four captains, including seniors Alexis Adams, Aubree Dorsey and Kailee Morris and junior Channy Johnson.

The team has a strong foundation, Dougherty said, but not many varsity starts due to the restricted schedule last season. This year the Dukes have a full 15-game schedule and look to come out of the gate quickly by competing in the sixth annual Dukes Field Hockey Jamboree on Saturday...