Sunday 4/28/24

It was an unusual week this past week with the quick turnaround after the Lancer win over Irondequoit on Saturday. On Monday the Webster-Spry team arrived at the Eastridge Stadium turf with almost twice the number of players, and it would be another game with just enough players and no subs for the home team.

The Lancers won the toss and elected to have the ball first. Anita B's hard hit that almost hit the Spry end line set the tone for the game. Hard hits and a spread out attack by both teams allowed each team to show it's skills.

Anita B's shot on goal during a corner found the net and gave Eastridge the first quarter lead. However, Spry used a fast-break opportunity near the end of the same quarter to tie up the game. An injury to the starting goalie prompted an earlier switch than anticipated, plus the team played short. Spry was able to add more goals by game's end, but both teams remained competitive until the final whistle.

Hopefully practice on the grass field the rest of the week helps with the away game vs. Fairport-Johanna Perrin this Tuesday.

Thank you,

Coach Adams

Sunday 4/21/24

What a week!  We added 2 more players, had our first "contest" - a scrimmage against visiting Hilton, and then our first game - an away one at Irondequoit.  The goalie plan was put in place and Ariana G volunteered to go first.  She had great few days of instruction by Varsity goalkeepers Lucy O and Brimari A, and then used her new skills to help keep the net empty during the scrimmage. Eastridge had one less field player than the Cadets, but hard hits by returning players Anita B and Quinn K kept the play spread out and on the visitors' side of the field.  Ava T scored the first Lancer goal of the season on an assist from Anita B, and that was all that was needed.  Eastridge will travel to Hilton near the end of the season for a rematch.

We had just 2 practices to regroup and get ready for the first game, and to prepare a new pair of volunteers (Berrin S, Sophie V) for goalie duties.  For the Saturday morning game on the Irondequoit turf, we had a full 11 players on the field (but still no subs available yet).  Once again, Eastridge hard hits kept the team on the attack. It was an original hard crossing pass on a corner (by Quinn K) that angled into the cage for a goal.  Shortly after, a paced pass into the scoring circle and then dodge by Ava T got the ball past the goalie for the second goal of the game.  Newcomer Dami S used her quickness as chaser to spoil a series of Irondequoit corners after halftime.  Ava T used her dodges again to add another Lancer goal in the final quarter.  The new goalies had 2 saves each, and all of the Lancers kept showing their improved play and gave their enthusiastic fans a great example of what field hockey can look like.

The team turns right around and hosts visiting Webster-Spry on Monday, and it will be the largest squad the team has played to date. Then, it will be 3 practice days in a row to get ready for a grass game next week in Fairport.  NO PRACTICE ON FRIDAY 4/26. Good luck to all of our players who are also involved in the Middle School play this coming week!

See you Monday,

Coach Adams

Sunday 4/14/24

The team returned from Spring Break and the Solar Eclipse Day to begin practices at the High School on the Stadium turf.  Despite unseasonably warm weather, players used their first practice on the turf to see how skills from the first week inside the Laurelton-Pardee gym felt different on the new surface. 

On Tuesday, it was time to combine skills in drills in game-like situations.  The newest "prop" was the box to dodge and then path to take before attempting a hard, legal crossing pass into the circle. The box prop did double duty as a goalie for introduction to play in the striking circle. 

With the goalie "plan" still looking like it might be many on the team taking turns in the goal for a half of a game or a whole game, the Varsity goalkeeper made a guest appearance on Thursday to show how to put on the goalie equipment and how to move in the circle during play.  The rain held off until just before the end of practice, and then it was time for the Parent Information Night by the Athletic Director followed by a Field Hockey Team parent meeting.  A scheduling conflict had 8th graders and parents getting orientation to the high school at the same time, but hopefully the new families that attended the coaches' meeting found it helpful. 

The last practice of the week had a new player volunteering to try goalie, finding out how to put on the equipment, going through the goalie warmup routine with the Varsity keeper mentoring, and then seeing what it felt like in drills versus her teammates...and catching on beautifully!  Meanwhile, her teammates had used their practice time to work on their drives, and passing, and attack versus defense.  The specifics of corner play were covered before rain arrived again at the end of practice. 

There is SO much to cover before facing another team, but this team is taking it all in. There is SO much to cover before facing another team, but this team is taking it all in AND has added a new player at the beginning of the week and another before the weekend.

This week we have practices on Monday and Tuesday to get ready for Wednesday's first "contest" of the season.  The scrimmage will be on the Eastridge Stadium turf beginning at 5PM versus visiting Hilton.  The first actual game has been moved from Friday to Saturday morning at 9PM at the Irondequoit HS turf field.  Let the games begin!

See you Monday,

Coach Adams

Sunday 4/7/24

Thanks to ALL who came to last Tuesday's Field Hockey Play Day.  It was cold, it started raining, but 24 of you showed up!  For some, it was your first time on the Stadium turf and/or playing on a regulation-size field.  You were able to see how 11 players would play against another team of 11 players (when we have had teams with lower numbers, sometimes our first time against 11 others on a team was in our first scrimmage!...so we are already farther along ).  You got to hear and try the rules for starting the game, or taking a self-start, or putting in the ball from the sideline.  You got to see how there are different formations, with layers of players and columns of space.  You got to see what a 15-minute quarter feels like, and how you are continually moving during those time periods.  You are building your field hockey vocabulary and what it means during play.  The Play Day was a HUGE success!

After you return to school from Spring Break and Eclipse Day, we will shift to the High School Stadium turf for our after-school practices and games. After school, listen for shuttle directions and be ready to catch the bus.  I will meet you at the High School parking lot, we will bring equipment out of the storage area under the Stadium, and then begin practice.  I love to coach and love the challenge of preparing players new to the game so that they will be competitive and increasingly confident.  Be ready to add to your skills bank, to learn more about each position, and to find out about goalkeeping. We'd love to have more join us and there is still time to be part of this team, so extend an invitation to another.

This Thursday there is a Parent Information Meeting at 5:30PM in the High School cafeteria.  Your family is an important part of our team.  After Athletic Director Mr. Vacanti gives his presentation, we will share field hockey specifics with your family - encourage them to attend. 

We have 6 days of practice before our first contest - a scrimmage against Hilton.  We will cover a lot, but you have already shown that you are good listeners and learners. 

See you Tuesday,

Coach Adams

Sunday 3/31/24

Hello EIMS FH Players & Families. "The SCOOP" will be a weekly feature on the Eastridge Field Hockey website during this Spring 2024 Modified Field Hockey season.

Thanks to Coach Fischer and Coach Cooper (and all the player volunteers who helped with the Gym Floor Indoor in the Laurelton-Pardee School gym this winter), we had 6 very early signups for modified FH.  Players and their families were encouraged to spread the word to "find" more players, and we had 11 on the roster for the first day of practice - enough for a team!  On day two, we added another...up to 12 (even a sub for our games). 

We were in the EIMS wrestling room for the first day of practice. We moved to the Laurelton-Pardee School gym from Tuesday through Thursday, which made a HUGE difference. We have covered a LOT!  The players on the team are paying attention, adding to their skill bank, and steadily improving. 

The "Play Day" this Tuesday is for a first taste of the real game on the turf field (a bit bigger than the "shower curtain field" handed out at practice). 

After the vacation break and Eclipse Day, we will switch practices up to the Eastridge Stadium turf after school.  We'll have the rest of the week and then just two more days before our first contest - a scrimmage versus Hilton on our home turf.  I can't wait to see how well this team is catching on. 

We are happy to have Mrs. McNally on our coaching staff.  Coach Fischer will be overseeing communication.

There is room for more players.  Continue to spread the word.  No experience is necessary, equipment is provided, and we can catch you up. 

Thank you,

Coach Adams