Pelham’s girls Field Hockey team concluded their 2020 season by taking the Section Title. With COVID-19 preventing fan support in the stands and the season ending with a section championship win, it was certainly unlike any other season. The team had not won a section title since 2000. The team was presented with their plaque by Mrs. Hughes, the last coach of the Pelham girls field hockey team to have coached a sectional championship winning team. This year, led by Coach Clapp and Coach Magarelli, and captains Jane Dunbar, Alex Orlando, Molly Terraciano and Eileen Mazzaro, the team was in position to have a very successful season. The team’s overall record was 8-2 with a regular season record of 6-2 and a playoff record of 2-0. 

Normally, the season would have started with a preseason in early August. This year the season started in late September with only 10 regular season games on the schedule and, due to COVID-19 closings of other schools, two of their scheduled games were cancelled. The girls this year also had to play with masks as well as mouth guards, making it very difficult for them to breathe. In spite of these obstacles, Clapp was impressed by the fortitude of the team.

“They did it everyday without complaining or asking ‘Is this really necessary?'” Coach Clapp said.

Being back on the field this year was a welcome distraction.

“We had a little bit of normality during a crazy time.For two hours a day we didn’t have to think about COVID.  That was the saving grace,” Clapp said. “The season was very fast. And we were ready for everyone we were going to face in the sectionals.”

Though given a new set of drawbacks due to the pandemic, the team was determined not to let it affect their play.

Captain Eileen Mazzaro said, “Learning to play with masks was difficult as well as adapting to the new COVID rules.  Despite the challenges, we were able to work together and achieve a goal that seemed unattainable.”

The players also recognized that COVID was a literal game-changer. With schools closing and players from other teams being quarantined no one was certain how the season might end.

“Unlike past seasons, every game this year was not guaranteed,” Mazzaro said. “We had games cancelled and rescheduled due to school closings and safety precautions.  I think that this unusual season motivated us to play every game like it was our last.  We worked so hard to improve as a team and stay safe to keep the season going.  I am really happy with how far we advanced and how close we got by the end of the season.”