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10/07/2019 12:00 AMThe Valley Regional field hockey squad is turning its season around after another big week. The Warriors have drawn even at 4-4 on the season after starting the year on an 0-4 skid. With home wins over Haddam-Killingworth and Somers last week, Head Coach Beth McCabe-Powers’s squad is sporting a four-game win streak heading into the second half of the 2019 campaign.
Despite the stumble at the start, Coach McCabe-Powers feels encouraged by the Warriors’ recent stint of success. After facing some formidable competition early, McCabe-Powers thinks the team is in a better position now.
“We got four really tough games off the bat. I would like to be in a more advantageous position than we are, but it’s not completely unexpected that we’re here,” McCabe-Powers said. “We understand every game is important moving forward. We have the attack and midfield clicking much better now than we did at the beginning of the season. There were some growing pains at the beginning of the season, but we’re hoping to keep the momentum going.”
That revamped midfield and attack was on display this week for sure. Valley started out with a 3-0 shutout victory over Haddam-Killingworth on Oct. 2.
McCabe-Powers thought maintaining possession made all the difference for the Warriors in their victory over the Cougars. Valley went up 2-0 in the first half of play thanks to a couple of goals from senior captain Kate O’Brien. In the second half, Margaret Jacaruso put one past the goalie to make it 3-0.
“It was a solid ball-control game for us. All three goals were scored on corners. To H-K’s credit, we were having difficulty transitioning, and they played every second of that game. Nobody rolled over on that team,” said McCabe-Powers. “Their defense is tough to score on. They swarm in front of the goal, and they keep it out. We were happy to score on our three corners, and they were all well-executed. None of those goals were gimmes.”
Valley’s offense really got going against Somers with a 6-1 home victory on Oct. 4. The Warriors scored three goals in the first half before Somers could put one over the line. After that, Valley scored two more goals before the intermission to make it a 5-1 score. The Warriors added another goal to make it 6-1 in the second.
Coach McCabe-Powers believed that she saw her team playing with a bit more assuredness against Somers. McCabe-Powers wants to see that approach from her squad the rest of the way, because she knows that they have the skills to back it up.
“This group does not lack talent, but we have to be more confident,” said McCabe-Powers. “We’re quite a talented team, and when you’re looking 0-4 in the face, that can light a fire under you.”
To keep that fire burning, the Warriors have four senior captains this year in Riley Millbune, Elena Peterlik, O’Brien, and Grace Proctor. Coach McCabe-Powers says that the quartet has been major a factor in Valley’s recent run of success, but not because they’re out there screaming at anyone.
“They’re not really a vocal group, but they all work really hard and they are very approachable for the underclassmen,” said McCabe-Powers. “They are focused on the good of the whole team. They don’t step on each other, and they share responsibilities really well.”
Each captain has her specialty on the field, according to McCabe-Powers, but that doesn’t stop them from also staying versatile and ready to adapt.
“Riley Millburne’s played a couple of places during the season, and she’s found her home on attack. She’s running point for us in the floating forward position. Elena Peterlik plays left defense and left midfield. She’s the strongest player on the team, so she gets moved around a lot. She’s been the anchor point,” McCabe-Powers said. “Kate O’Brien plays attacking center defense. She inserts on corners, and she’s getting goals off those with good tips. Grace Proctor is a right midfielder and she’s played her butt off. Because our style of play, we live and die by her, and she’s been playing quite well of late.”
Some other impact players for the Warriors include Ruby O’Lynnger and Abby Amara.
“Nobody has the ‘ooo...aah’ numbers, but a whole bunch of them are scoring. Ruby O’Lynnger at left wing is exceptional with rebounds, and she’s an exceptional tipper. She is queen of right place right time because her footwork is so good,” said McCabe-Powers. “Abby Amara is our starting center forward. She is a great ball-handler, and a very hard worker who’s exceptionally talented for a sophomore. Her injury slowed her down a bit, and having her back has solidified the middle of the field for us.”
The Warriors have everything to play for in the second half of the year. With hopes of returning to the Shoreline Conference Tournament this season, Coach McCabe-Powers believes Valley has the talent to get it done.
“We’re hopeful to make Shorelines. In order to that we need to beat Morgan both times. We know we have some hard stuff coming down the road,” said Coach McCabe-Powers. “Things seem to be working much better, and we have the lineup straightened out. Everything is positive, and we’re trying to keep that positive vibe going.”
• The Valley Regional field hockey team’s roster includes senior captains Kate O’Brien, Riley Millburne, Elena Peterlik, and Grace Proctor; seniors Madison Alio, Awdrie Carnelli, Jill DeJongh, Ruby O’Lynnger, and Olivia Pelkey; juniors Leah Bargnesi, Lily Gordon, Alex Halsey, Taylor Harpin, Abigail Shakun, Paige Thomas, and Lauren Wiegman; sophomores Mia Alio, Abby Amara, Reagan Fergueson, Margaret Gessner, Caroline Haskins, Grace Haskins, Margaret Jacaruso, Emily Kateley, Brooke Lavigne, Paige Lombardi, Ellie Rybicki-Domler, Lauren Valentino, Kylin Villegas, and Chelsea Wadle; and freshmen Failyn Belisle, Callie Breitenback, Samantha Brookhart-Bardelli, Ashley Cap, Lily Grow, Maizy Libby, Mykenzie Parker, Madeline Rice, Molly Rybicki-Domler, Samara Shankar, and Isabella Siegel.
• Head Coach Beth McCabe-Powers’s coaching staff includes assistant coach Randy Netsch.
• For the rest of the way, Valley plays home contests versus North Branford and Morgan. The Warriors will also play road games against Morgan, Westbrook, Litchfield, Old Saybrook, Haddam-Killingworth, and Waterford.