For the many people interested in hockey but unsure of their abilities on the ice there is a solution: field hockey. Field hockey is a sport much like regular ice hockey, but it’s played on grass and with a hard round ball, rather than a puck. Highland Park High School offers the option for girls to play field hockey in the fall as a ninth period athletic credit. Each season starts with a two-week camp before school starts, in which the players train and prepare for the season. Both the varsity and junior varsity team practice Monday-Thursday on the softball field, and varsity only has two more games this season.

The varsity captains are Cammie Dunn, Rachel Glasstetter, Jamie Saylor and Kate Selner. The jv captains are Mae Mae Bell, Meredith Jordan and Gigi Lorio. The teams are coached by Nici Bremer and Kelly Stoutz.

Both the varsity and junior varsity teams play private schools and compete in tournaments such as the one hosted by Hockaday. At this tournament, varsity won three out of their seven games and tied one. They also traveled to Fort Worth, where the varsity team beat the All Saints Episcopal School 2-0, with goals by junior Racquel Pacewicz and senior Lea Berry. Monday Oct. 16, the varsity team beat ESD’s seventh grade team 5-0. This season varsity has improved immensely from last year, where they didn’t score throughout the fall season.

“We’re like a family, and we have so much fun together,” junior Racquel Pacewicz said. “Even though we’re not the best team, we try to make the best out of the situations.”

The varsity team played in a pink-out game to support breast cancer awareness month on October 4, and this game against Parish was close. The drumline and cheerleaders performed throughout the game and the team wore pink jerseys. Parish scored in the second half to close the game at a 1-2 loss for Highland Park.

“It was so much fun,” Pacewicz said. “We had glitter everywhere and tattoos, and we lost 2-1, but we played better, so it was a little sad.”

Field hockey is also appealing towards multi-sport athletes looking for a stress free alternative to competitive school or club sports. Sophomore Lizzie Means, freshman Danielle Ward, senior captain Rachel Glasstetter, and Pacewicz all balance field hockey with HP Girls Soccer.

“You just have to find time to do both,” Pacewicz said.

Tryouts are in April-May for the 2018 season. No experience or equipment is required to join, so the team is welcoming of any and all athletes.