Montana Ott

Professor Ferrara

ENW 100

18 October 2019

The “Perfect” Season

We started out the season as the favorites for the Colonial League and with an undefeated

season. We were on top of the world after we beat another strong team 1-0. The hug I felt from

one of my best friends after I dribbled in and smacked the ball into the opposite corner of the

cage was unlike any other. The very next day, we lost to the worst team in the league in overtime

off of a penalty stroke. It shocked our team, our school, and our entire town. This loss made us

realize that anybody was capable of beating us on any day, and also ruined our chance of having

the undefeated season we had hoped for. We needed this wake up call for what we would

accomplish later on. We got back to work immediately after, starting our winning streak once

again.

We continued with a strong season, not losing another game. The very last game of

regular season would mean more to us than we knew. We played against our league foes,

Southern Lehigh, who had beat us in all four games in the past two years. This time we knew it

was not going to have the same outcome. We were stronger than ever before and fought through

a nail biting game that would set the tone for postseason. The score went back and forth, ending

up in a tie and sending us into overtime. Overtime went scoreless, so the game ended at 3-3. We

knew we were the better team, and would surely show them later on.

After our 4-0 semifinal victory in the Colonial League tournament, Coach Kienzle, her

short brown hair flipping in the wind, yelled “We’re going to the Colonial League championship
baby!!!” to our team as we erupted with excitement, more than ever before, but nothing close to

what was to come.

This was it. The Colonial League championship. I stepped out onto the field for what

could be my last time. The bleachers are filled with fans for both us and Southern Lehigh. The

sidelines are filled with cameras, waiting to document the matchup of the year. The first whistle

blows, signalling for the game to start. The other team shut me down, but I was confident in the

rest of my team that they could make up for the triple mark they had on me. The game goes

scoreless throughout the first half. Not too far into the second half, Carly, who is small but

speedy, gets hit in the foot and goes down immediately. Our team got worried, considering she

was a key player in our forward line. We carry her off the field, hoping that she will return

before the game is over. She did get back on the field, but the game remained scoreless until the

end of regulation.

My coach noticed that I was getting very upset and angry because I was not able to do

what I usually did. She pulled me aside and as she grabbed my arm as I towered over her and she

said “I need you to relax, your team needs you right now. Just play how you know how to and

you will be fine. I need you to control that field.”

I did exactly that and we dominated in overtime. We had many opportunities, but could

not capitalize on them. This led us into shootouts, something we had prepared for all season

long. My coach gave us the lineup, and I was up first. I knew I had to start off on the right foot

for the rest of my team to have confidence. I did an easy pull left and beat the goalie. Fans

cheered as my team ran to hug me, but it wasn’t over yet. We went back and forth until we were

up 3-1. Morgan, our goalie, with her curly brown hair popping out of her helmet, dove to keep

the other team’s fourth shot out of the cage. This meant that Bangor Field Hockey was named
Colonial League Champions or the first time since 2010. My team, with tears in our eyes,

sprinted over towards the goal, making a dogpile on the field. My coach leaped into my arms and

I lifted her off the ground as everyone was giving hugs. We had finally beat our rivals when it

counted the most, but our journey was not over yet.

We were moving onto Districts, something we were very familiar with. In the semifinals,

we played a team that we thought would be easy to beat. We were unexpectedly down 2-0 to

start the second half. We were lucky enough to get one back, but time was winding down.

Although we were feeling defeated, we knew our time was not up. My team earned a penalty

stroke with 7 minutes left in the game. I sent it right over the goalie’s head and into the back of

the net. Surprisingly, there was no celebration. We all new that we should not have put ourselves

in this situation, and were worried that we would lose our dreams. We got another penalty stroke

shortly after, which would have won the game for us, but I sent the ball wide off the right post.

This sent us into overtime for yet another game this season. I knew that I could not let my team

down, so I took matters into my own hands. Less than a minute into overtime, I had dribbled the

ball down the field and into the circle, driving it to the far left corner of the cage. I watched it slip

past the goalie and threw my arms up in relief after such a stressful game. The team realized that

we came too close to giving up our shot at becoming District champions and got back to work

right away.

We had done it. This was the District championship, what we had been working towards

for the whole season. The turf field was glowing under the lights. It smelled like fresh air, but it

was full of sweat. We heard the cowbells, knowing the familiar sound was coming from our side.

Our whole town was standing in the bleachers that night. Cameras covered the sidelines,

recording every second of the most important game of my life. I tasted the mixture of gatorade
and water that my dad always reminded me to drink. My team did the “pump it up” cheer at the

bench, like we did before every game. We took the field in our maroon and white uniforms,

nervously, but confident that we could beat the Spartans once again. There was tension on the

field coming from both teams, anxiously awaiting the first whistle. We were dominating the first

half, but we knew that did not mean anything if there was nothing to show for it on the

scoreboard. A penalty stroke was called for us not too far into the game. This was the most

pressure I had ever been under. There were more fans and cameras surrounding the field than we

had ever seen, waiting to see if I would make what could be the winning shot.

“Top left corner” is what I heard coming from the coaches of the other team. They knew

exactly where I went every time, so the goalie knew what to expect. Feeling very nervous, I

stepped up to the ball, took a deep breath, and sent it straight to the goalie. I ran back to my team,

hanging my head low.

“You’re fine, we got it” my best friend said to me, making me feel better.

“Keep your head up” I heard from the sidelines, knowing I was expected to make that

shot.

Although I was disappointed in myself, I knew it was not over yet. The second half began

with the same level of intensity, and we quickly got another penalty stroke. I knew this was my

chance to redeem myself. I knew I needed to be unpredictable to the goalie, so I shot it to the

middle of the right side, which I had never practiced before. It was far out of the goalie’s reach,

hitting the back corner of the net. I immediately turned to my team, who was running at me,

ready to celebrate. We knew we had to play defense for the rest of the game, ensuring that we

would win.
 There were several opportunities for both teams to score, making it a very thrilling game.

With 15 seconds left in the game, it was in our defensive circle, making us very frantic. I

dribbled the ball into the corner with my back to the field, making it impossible for our opponent

to get it. When I heard the buzzer, I could not believe what we had just done. Everyone rushed

the field to celebrate, it was one of the best moments of my life. Bangor field hockey was just

named District XI champions for the first time in school history. Not only that, but we broke the

record for most wins in a season and were headed to the state tournament, something nobody

from our school had ever experienced. There were tears of happiness as we were getting our

medals, and also tears of sadness from the other team. I immediately ran over to hug my mom,

who was waiting by the fence.

“I’m so proud of you,” she said, as more tears came out of my eyes.

My coach and I had been through a lot over the four years, and the hug I got from her

before she put the District XI champion medal around my neck made every victory and every

heartbreaking loss worth it. The celebration after the game lasted all night with family and

friends, as well as fire truck sirens blaring through the town to guide us home.

I wish I could relive this season every single year. The story I tell is the highlight of my

high school experience, my sports career, and surely one I will remember for the rest of my life.

It seems like just a sport, but it gave me so much more. I think about my best friends every day

and how I was truly blessed to be surrounded by them when I was on this team. I am still

surrounded by them, but the connection we had on the field was irreplaceable. Our team

chemistry allowed us to go as far as we did. We made it through hard losses and great victories

together, and every one brought us closer together. Not only did this season give me great

memories and best friends, but it prepared me for life. Field hockey has taught me teamwork,
work ethic, leadership, and responsibility, qualities which I will use throughout the rest of my

life. It has shaped me into the person I am today and I will carry this unforgettable experience

with me forever.