The girls JV field hockey team hosted Ann Arbor Pioneer last night. The school from the east side of Michigan is regarded as one of the toughest opponents in the state. The offense surged in this game, scoring 2 goals, leading the team to a well-earned tie. The defense also played its part by limiting the fierce Pioneer squad to 2 goals. As with its last two previous matches, this team was comprised of a combination of both the JV white and JV purple field hockey teams. The girls were able to tie the game up late as the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

The girls started their scoring only ten minutes into the match; senior Kirsten Szost ignited the scoring campaign, though Pioneer put up a goal of their own only four minutes later. The Ann Arbor team also was the first to strike in the second half. The intensity increased exponentially throughout the second half of the game, all until four minutes left in the match. A clutch goal by FHE sophomore Eileen Grunwald equalized the score for the team, and for those nerve-wracking four minutes, both teams had opportunities where they put shots on net, but to no prevail for either side. Pioneer had one last chance to win with a corner shot, but they were not able to seize it. The girls continued their exceptional defense and they blocked the shot to end the game in a tie.

The girls played their hearts out as they sent one of the best teams in the state home without a win. The team’s next encounter will be against another team in Detroit Country Day when they will head east on September 21st.