Underdog West Hartford Women’s Field Hockey Club takes home silver at Nutmeg State Games – We-Ha

The field hockey club team outside West Hartford had a successful experience at Nutmeg State Games despite being older than most other players and not having a goalkeeper.

CT Club Field Hockey team with their silver medal. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

CT Club Field Hockey players ’expectations of victory were not particularly high at the Nutmeg State Games at Veterans Memorial Stadium in the UK, where they were one of nine teams in the Open Division, also known as the 19 and over division.

The team had only 10 players on the 7-vs.-7 tournament list, none of whom were goalkeepers, and they opposed teams that were stacked with college players and recent graduates. Most members of the CT Club Field Hockey team are over 30 years old.

But on Sunday, July 18, after receiving a record 2-0-1, finding a total of eight goals and allowing just one, the underdog CT Club Field Hockey Club earned a spot in the gold medal game. Although they lost to New York for Skillz That Killz 4-2, they were excited about the tournament experience.

I will never forget this game day areahockey with my teammate, said Cathy Callahan, who runs the CT Field Hockey Club program for women through West Hartford Leisure Services.

This was an amazing experience and a life dream for all of us, Callahan said. We worked hard, played together and never gave up. We were focused and everyone had the same goal. Every minute was a dream and we look forward to playing again next year.

They scored their first goal within 30 seconds of the first game.

Callahan, former head coach of West Hartfords Conard High School, said most of the players who participated in the Nutmeg State Games participated in her women’s program, which runs on Sunday mornings at 7:45 a.m. in the spring. and drop.

Participants in the program must be at least 30 years old. I did this so that the women who graduated from college and worked felt comfortable coming to play, she said.

The women in my group are made up of former university field players who are mothers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, coaches, recreation coordinators, and sports leaders. We all have a competitive spirit and we still enjoy playing field hockey at a high level, Callahan said.

About 15 women joined the program this spring.

Typically, we just yawn at each other, but when we heard that the Nutmeg State Games had returned this summer, we wanted to give it a chance, he said. Eight players in the spring program answered yes.

Callahan said he created the CT Club Field Hockey puppies about 10 years ago, hoping to form a team after college. In the Nutmeg State Championships, competition with the team made a dream come true.

The team included Callahan, Jade Dennett, Kati Eggert, Veronica Grubin, Colleen Kinkade, Austin Lamothe, Lindsey Leung, Basia MariaRozalia Szajda, Melissa Twibell and Sara Witmer.

Callahan said he will hold the women’s field hockey program again in the fall and lower the age limit to 25 to attract even more participants. Registration for the program (# 412555A) is available Leisure services RecDesk.