Pierson field hockey team loses in states, but has something to build on
Pierson forward Tahnie Sullivan fights for control of the ball with Whitney Point defender Reese Abrahamson, Saturday, November 13, 2021, at the state field hockey semifinal. Credit: George A Faella
The Pierson field hockey team’s season did not end the way they would have hoped, but it certainly is a long way from how it began.
Brenna Bough and Kaylie Lynch of Section IV’s Whitney Point each scored five goals in a 11-0 win over Pierson in a Class C state semifinal on Saturday at Centereach High School. Bough will play collegiate field hockey at Ohio State next year.
Whitney Point improved to 18-0 and Pierson concluded its season at 7-10.
"Although we lost, this was the coolest thing that has happened for the Pierson field hockey program in a while," said midfielder/forward Meredith Spolarich. "We kept playing throughout the entire game and gave it our best. It was a special experience."
The Whalers lost three of the first four games this fall but were able to turn things around and captured a Long Island C title on Nov. 7 with a 3-0 win over defending champion Carle Place. It was the first Long Island championship for the program since 2015.
"We had a very rough year to start," Pierson coach Nina Hemby said. "I was not there for the preseason because I was dealing with COVID and there were a lot of obstacles we had to overcome. Somehow we pulled it back together towards the end of the season and were on this amazing upward rise."
Madison Stuckart is one of four seniors on the Pierson squad. It is a quartet that also includes Caroline Canavan, Anne Quimby and Micky Wilson.
"They are the heart of the team and are amazing leaders," Hemby said. "I know others will step up next year for us, but they will surely be missed."
Stuckart will continue her field hockey career at Molloy College in the fall.
"I am definitely looking forward to getting better and improving my game at the next level," she said. "I have grown so much as a player from my freshman year to now. It is going to be hard moving on because I have played with these girls for so long, but I am excited for the next challenge."
Hemby, who is in her third season as head coach, knows that the future of the program is bright.
"We proved that no matter what the numbers are or how big or small the school is, we have the ability to get here," she said. "We are very proud of our accomplishments this season and I think it will allow us to continue to boost our numbers and keep the kids involved both during and outside the season."
