Winning its own annual tourney, the Huskie Invitational, is a difficult proposition at best for the Oak Park and River Forest High School field hockey team.
This year was no exception. In fact, a reduced field of eight elite teams representing four states, coupled with the Huskies’ rash of injuries rendered any shot at the title a virtual impossibility.
The short-handed Huskies lost three games and were outscored 14-2 over the weekend. The championship game offered an all-Kentucky matchup as Assumption defeated Sacred Heart 2-0 in a battle of Bluegrass State rivals.
“The tournament provides better practice for our regular games,” senior defender/midfielder Katie Mullins said. “We get to play really good teams. I think we’re doing really well considering all the injuries we’ve had this season. We have beaten teams that we hadn’t beaten in a while. Coach [Lauren Blanco] is teaching us that every ball counts and how we need to sharpen our skills.”
Despite being swept at their own tournament, the Huskies have a winning record. In fact, the team surged to a 7-1 record to open the season with notable wins against perennial state contenders like Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest and Loyola Academy.
“No matter what the score has been, we’re all getting valuable playing time,” senior forward Bri Bujnowski said. “There is a ton of optimism about our team and we are pumped up for every game. We’re looking forward to playing most of our remaining games at home, too, where we definitely have an advantage.”
On the flip side, injuries have taken their toll, with senior captain Hannah Sklar (broken leg/out for year) and both Jane Roarty (broken hand) and Emma Tencate (concussion) out of action indefinitely. Grace Dorian (broken nose) and Ella Rossa (sprained ankle) are also injured but expected back soon.
“It’s been a bit of a struggle but it’s a team sport and that’s why we carry a roster of 20 players,” Blanco said. “People have been stepping into roles and filling gaps. I think everybody has done a nice job of picking it up.”
While the loss of Sklar is huge, Roarty and Tencate could still return and several other players have excelled with increased playing time.
“At first I was pretty devastated,” Sklar said about her injury. “The team really supported me which was great. Once I was out of the hospital and started coming to games I felt better. I’m just trying keep my teammates fired up as much as possible.
“This may not be the most skilled field hockey team, but it’s the most athletic I’ve seen. Our athleticism and our enthusiasm make us a really great team. All the players and coaches have the same goal, which is winning a state championship.”
Junior center midfielder Christen Conley, Mullins and Bujnowski bring talent and experience to the starting lineup.
Seniors Cami Jordan (center midfielder) and Casey Carey (forward) along with Emma Sanye have helped pick up the slack, while junior Andrea Schuler has bolstered the defense.
“Cami and Casey have been really good for us,” Blanco said. “Andrea has filled a huge gap in our defense. She’s been fantastic in her role on the team.”
Forward Grace Dorian, the team’s lone sophomore, and junior goalie Maddie Guerrier have contributed as well.
Lucy Brandstrader, Emily Cekander, Haley Hamilton, Molly Lena, Caitlin Locasto, Mia Ryan, Maeve Sheehan and Tess Weigel round out the roster. Kristin Wirtz and Megan Rogers are Blanco’s assistant coaches.
“Our style of play this year is offensive-minded,” Blanco said. “We like to play clean, possession hockey. That’s what’s nice about our tournament because all the teams play a similar style.”
The Huskies close the regular season with 8 of 10 games at home.
“It will be interesting to see how we play the rest of the season,” Blanco said. “We have a nice homestand coming up. We will face some teams we have already beaten but we have some injuries now.
“I’m super excited about the rest of the season. Our players have set a pretty high standard for themselves. They have all the potential in the world as they have already proven with some of their wins this season.”