Sticks stay silent

Blair's truncated field hockey season ended with a loss in the first round of the playoffs to Whitman High School, 4-1. The Code Blue status in MCPS from sniper attacks allowed Blair to play only seven games, the last of which on Oct 1 was also a loss to Whitman, leaving them with an unresolved season record of 2-4-1.

Blair began the season strongly with wins over Paint Branch and Rockville high schools but struggled against more competitive opponents. The Blazers expected to improve its record by beating weaker teams that Blair would have played the second half of the season, said senior link Ariel Beck.

In addition to games cancelled because of the sniper situation, all but four practices between the last regularly scheduled game and the playoffs were cancelled. Field hockey practices are usually held at Acorn Hill Park, but under Code Blue restrictions Blair had to hold practices in the auxiliary gym.

Coach Anne Miller valued the team's upbeat attitude throughout the season but lamented the missed practices that would have improved the players' skills. "We wanted to work on defense and putting the ball in the cage," said Miller.

Sophomore attack Julia Penn said that lack of practice affected the team's performance against Whitman. "A lot of the players on the field were more winded than usual," said Penn.

Blair's field hockey team will be losing ten seniors, most of whom are key starters on the team, but Miller said the team should have dependable juniors and sophomores next season.