Choate’s newly-established girls’ ultimate team dominated in their first and only game this year, against Miss Porter’s School.
On Wednesday, April 27, 13 girls from a combination of the varsity, junior varsity, and intramural ultimate teams took to the playing field for Choate’s first ever girls’ ultimate frisbee game against Miss Porter’s School. Choate’s team prevailed, winning the game 10-4.
The Lady Boars, who had only practiced together once before, began the game on defense. But, that clearly mattered little as they pulled the disc deep into Porter’s side of the field and quickly swatted it down. Off the turn, they worked the disc downfield with pace and scored, bringing the score to 1-0 for Choate.
The team continued in a similar fashion, leading 5 goals to 1 at the half. Throughout the game, Choate worked through challenges with quick thinking and poise, and even played successful offensive points against a zone defense, which the team had never faced together, and which some of the team’s members had never experienced at all. Although Miss Porter’s managed to score three more times following halftime, the Boars emerged from the game victorious, boasting a six-point lead.
“I was impressed by how well all of the players meshed together offensively,” commented the team’s coach, Ms. Victoria Sanchez. “Normally teams need some time to gel and develop chemistry. Despite not having played together before, we had great disc movement and continuation downfield.”
The day was also considered a success among the players. However, some noticed a difference in the level and dynamic of play compared to that of their usual co-ed team. Melody Li ’18 said, “I feel like I push myself harder when the boys are there because they usually really want the disc, so I have to want it more.” Hannah Paridis ’18 added, “The Porter’s game was a great experience and it would be nice to do annually, but I love playing on such a friendly and spirited team as Choate co-ed ultimate.”
What does the future have in store for this team? Head Coach Daniel Hartsoe explained, “We’re graduating some key players this year, but we have a number of returning girls who are quickly becoming fantastic players. If we continue to see girls interested in this ultimate team, we could look for more opportunities for games against all-female teams. One issue complicating that is the lack of high school girls’ ultimate teams in the state and among our peer schools. However, I think a lot of schools will increasingly be able to field a girls’ team and put girls’ high school ultimate on the path to becoming an official league in Connecticut and New England.”
In the meantime, however, the players will rejoin their respective co-ed teams as they look towards competing for the State and New England Championships in the coming weeks.
