Press "Enter" to skip to content

GHS field hockey places second in state

By Ruby Williams on November 15, 2023
sports ghs field hockey
The Gloucester High School field hockey team finished the year as the state runner-up in VHSL Class 4, following a 4-1 state semifinal win on Friday over Courtland and a heartbreaking 2-1 loss on Saturday for the state title to the Loudon Valley Vikings. Team members are shown here holding their trophy following Saturday’s loss. They are, front row from left, Leigha Germain, Charlotte Houtz, Mary Vanfossen, Kaylee Hall, McKayla Clark, Aura Griggs, Avery Watkins, Reese Miller, Kamryn McDonough, Kiley Parker, Maddie Kadel, Mackenzi Reece, AmraRose Powell, Madelyn Rowe, Kayla Foster; back row, Courtney Poole, Abby Junker, Rylie Williams, Ady Jeffrey, Kendall Lands, head coach Joe Dougherty, Caroline Klink, Ellary Miller, Chloe West, Emma Kadel, Hannah Symonds, Rylie Jeffrey, Peyton Sutton, Peyton Price, Addy Zabicki and GHS principal Dr. Stefan Mygas.

The Gloucester High School field hockey team made it all the way to Saturday’s VHSL Class 4 state championship, suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime loss to Loudoun Valley in the title game to finish as state runners up. GHS ended the season with an 18-3 record.

The Lady Dukes excelled in Friday’s semifinals game, defeating the Courtland Cougars, 4-1. Both games of the state tournament were held at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach.

In the first quarter of Friday’s matchup, Leigha Germain scored a goal off a penalty hook to put Gloucester on the board. Going into the second quarter, Germain scored another goal leaving the score 2-0. In the third quarter, Reese Miller scored the Lady Dukes’ third goal of the game, increasing the lead to 3-0. Courtland tried to respond and scored one goal in the fourth quarter, but Mackenzi Reece scored a final goal, assisted by Miller, to put the game out of reach. This was also Miller’s 43rd assist, which gave her the school record for assists.

“We felt really good about the game and we felt good about going into the state game,” said head coach Joe Dougherty.

On Saturday afternoon, the ladies faced the Loudoun Valley Vikings, with the championship on the line. As they did the day before, the Lady Dukes struck first, with Abby Junkers scoring a first-quarter goal off an assist from Avery Watkins. The ladies fought to keep their lead, but Loudoun Valley scored a goal in the second quarter. 

“We scored first in the first four minutes of the game,” Dougherty said. “There were some tough calls that did not go our way and we eventually went into overtime.”

The game was then tied and the two teams went into overtime. In OT, Loudoun Valley scored a goal to secure the win.

“They played one heck of a game. We had a great season, where we had a lot of growth. They also had great team chemistry. They should hold their heads up high and be proud. This was the first time making it back to states after five years and to do that is hard,” said Dougherty.

More from SportsMore posts in Sports »