Field hockey team is ready to pick up where they left off

BY LINDA SMITH HANCHARICK
WEST MILFORD — Last year's field hockey team had one of the best seasons in school history but their hearts were broken when they lost to Northern Highland in the state sectional championship game last fall. Their spirit, however, was not broken. Throughout the off season, these young women have trained diligently, taking part in clinics, lifting weights, running and running and running some more, all with the goal to get back to that game again this coming season. And win. It's a goal their coach, Krista Rieder Provost, knows is within their reach.

"We lost in the last 30 seconds on a penalty corner," said Provost. "It was devastating."

Like their coach, the returning girls didn't let that game's outcome get them down for too long. It became motivation. They looked forward and, soon, they will be out on the field again hoping to reach the states for just the third time in school history.

A team transformed
Provost is entering her third year as the varsity coach, after coaching the freshman team for five years. She has learned from her experience.

"It took me a couple of years to see what they needed from me," said Provost. "My confidence has blossomed. I saw what I needed to do to motivate them. It's the same as in the classroom."

Last year's team went 13-9, but Provost saw a change in the girls sometime in October. "They were a team transformed," she said. "I want a team where the girls want to be there and be part of the team. Yes, you want to score, but you want to do what's best for the team."

And that's what she got. They just clicked. Provost changed her practices and had the girls diving for the ball. She mixed freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams and did relay races and other activities. All three teams routinely do conditioning drills together. The discipline on varsity reaches down to the other teams.

Looking forwards
Provost has nine seniors this year and a total of 11 returning varsity players. They are so committed to the sport, several were out practicing on the turf field just days after the end of the season. And they begged their coach to set up a winter clinic in the off season. For eight Saturdays at 7 a.m., 20 girls showed up at that clinic. Fifteen of them volunteered to help Provost with the summer clinic she runs each year for younger girls. And all through July, they have been practicing three days a week.

"They just want it," said their proud coach.

Provost has named three captains - seniors Haley Christen, Samantha Mickens, and Julia Norman. Norman, a midfielder, had eight goals and nine assists last year. Christen, also a midfielder, had three assists. Mickens plays defense and had four defensive saves last season. She names all three as players to watch along with fellow seniors Alexa Megna and Gabriella Catania, both forwards.

"They're going to be great leaders," said Provost.

In goal, the Highlanders are confident with returning senior Breanna Csakvary, who saved 152 goals last year and allowed only 21, giving her a save percentage of 86. She had 11 shutouts.

Provost is expecting something from this team. When these seniors were in eighth grade, their travel team went undefeated. They were the only West Milford field hockey travel team to ever do that.

A growing program
Provost continues to grow the program. This summer, she had a tremendous response to the field hockey clinic she runs through the Community Services and Recreation Department. They had the best attendance ever and put together two travel teams instead of one.

"The youth program is just taking off," said Provost. "We had the best camp ever."

It's more than a game
And while Provost is excited for the competition and to work with her team again, she knows this is more than just a game.

When asked what her goals are for the upcoming season, Provost didn't hesitate.

"The girls know what my expectations are. We will continue where we left off last year. We're all about teaching these girls life lessons. We use field hockey as their outlet. We are trying to create strong women."