Cougars complete obstacle-filled season

MANCHESTER, NH – Despite battling through injuries and other adversity this season, the Derryfield School field hockey team’s season ended exactly where the Cougars expected: in the Division-II playoffs.

So despite falling, 1-0, in an opening-round heartbreaker at fourth-seeded Souhegan (10-2-2) in Amherst last Thursday, the 13th-ranked Cougars (4-8-2) walked off the field with their heads held high.

“They played with absolutely everything they had,” said first-year Derryfield head coach Katie Bulk. “They worked well together and continued to fight until the very end. The teams were well-matched. We adjusted to the game plan for the day and had some good looks at net. Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way.”

Indeed, the Cougars outshot their higher-ranked opponent, 6-4 in the contest and created four offensive-penalty corners, but just weren’t able to find the back of the goal.“The seniors had a great presence on the field (Thursday) night and worked hard,” said Bulk.Senior captains contributing to Derryfield’s team growth this season included Kennedy Overhoff, Charlotte Smith, Courtney Wold and Mackenzie Miller, while classmates Jazmin Sanchez Torrez and Sam Rapaport also contributed.“Kennedy Overhoff has provided a strong presence in our midfield every single game, especially in our final. Charlotte Smith spent most of her time on left forward and had the best game of the season in our last one. Courtney Wold and Mackenzie Miller have provided solid defense all year,” said Bulk. “Jazmin Sanchez Torrez and Sam Rapaport gave their all and carried important minutes in several games. We couldn’t have made it as far as we did without our seniors.”Though those leaders will undoubtedly be missed, the Cougars are axpected to return several key contributors in 2024 including Chloe Bremberg, Sarah Stonaker, Tyl-Elle Fulton and Ava Kosakowski.“These players also carried significant minutes every game and saw vast improvements this year,” said Bulk. “Emma Branch started as a JV player and saw significant varsity minutes on defense toward the end of our season. All of these athletes have made the most of their potential this year and will be standouts for us in the coming years.“I’m very much looking forward to next year as we have some young talent that needs time to develop,” she said. “This is just the beginning of what they can accomplish in the future.”With the groundwork for success now in place, Bulk said she hopes the team is able to use this year’s adversity and strong postseason performance as a springboard back to championship contention.The Derryfield field hockey program won five state championships between 2007 and 2018 but has not returned to the state finale in the last five years despite several tournament appearances.

“I’m so proud of this team and what they were able to learn together this year,” she said. “They had to work through numerous obstacles during the year and you could see them come out of it at the end. Next year will be a different story for us.”