Finley Field Hockey Gets the Job Done - Again
Nancy Conlon has a history of putting competitive teams together and the coach kept her streak intact this fall as the 27-member J. Taylor Finley Middle School field hockey squad compiled a 6-1-3 mark and looked very impressive along the way.
The Falcons were led by eighth graders Colleen Wright, Samantha Palmer and Sarah-Kate Smith and seventh grader Raynisha Witherspoon. “This year’s team had a lot of talent,” Conlon said. “Not only were they strong, they were also very skilled. They liked to win and have a lot of fun.”
Wright scored three goals from her forward (inner) position, while Palmer and Smith were standouts at their wing offense posts. Witherspoon sparkled in goal, recording 27 saves while allowing only two shots to get past her.
“Colleen is very powerful, with strong drives,” Conlon said. “She has the ability to get the ball around the defense.” While Wright had all the moves, Palmer and Smith were “the heart of the offense,” according to the coach, “getting the ball away from the defense and passing it to their teammates. They really know how to use the field.”
Witherspoon appears to be a potential star at her position if she sticks with the sport. “She’s a strong goalie with a great sense of where the ball is going,” Conlon said.
Finley was captained by Wright, along with Madison Biernacki, Jillian Kocis and Haley Brown. More than a few players seem capable of really making a splash on the high school level in coming years.
Meanwhile, Conlon is already looking to 2008 and her streak should be secure. “I have 10 seventh graders who I hope to return next season,” she said. “I foresee a lot of talent coming from them.”
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