Finley Field Hockey Finishes Unbeaten

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School field hockey team completed the fall season unbeaten with a 4-0-4 record under veteran head coach Marissa Bergmann.

The 19 player team was captained by Delany Madden, Lia Rotunno, Scarlett Phillips and Ava Tortora. “We didn’t have just one accomplishment that stands out to me,” Bergmann said. “Each game they competed and improved for the next game. They are a family and worked well together. This is a special group and I can’t wait to hear all about their success at the high school.

Here’s how Finley was positioned on the field along with the grade of each player:

Goalie: Samantha Graber (7th grade), Sofia Felice (8)

Forward: Delany Madden,(8) Piper Savatta (7) Scarlett Phillips (8) Lili Prada (7), Lindsay Rodriguez (7) Gretchen Schmid (8) Brigitta Mayer (7)

Midfield: Camilla Cabrera (7), Poppy Carey (7), Charli Bond (7), Ava Tortora (8), Lia Rotunno (8), Edith Stein (7)

Defense: Sydney Tuccillo (7), Olivia Sheridan (7), Valentina Careccia-Johnson (7), Abby Van Horn (8)

“Our midfields did an excellent job making sure the ball was transitioned to our forwards,” Bergmann said. “Ava Tortora and Lia Rotunno were a dynamic duo in the midfield and controlled the offense in many ways. Together they were able to keep the ball on the offensive side. Lia has outstanding sticks skills and field awareness. Ava is a great hitter and knows how to change directions allowing us to move the ball up the field. receiver. Poppy Carey took many of our free hits and had great placement to the forwards. Camilla Cabrera first time player did an excellent job on both sides of the ball.”

Schmid was Finley’s top scorer this past fall. “She stayed in position and was aggressive at the goal,” Bergmann said. “Her improvement this year was outstanding. Delany Madden was our second leading scorer. She was always on post and looked to make the extra pass to her teammates as well. Piper was an outstanding first year player. Her aggressive level of play help her team in many ways. She played forward, but was willing to play any position. She made sure the ball didn't leave the circle allowing us to gain many corners.”

Phillips also shined at forward. “She was an outstanding captain and extremely hardworking teammate,” Bergmann said.

Finley’s defensive unit consisting of Tuccillo, Sheridan, Careccia-Johnson and Van Horn along with the two goalies, Graber and Felice were among the best in the league and effectively shut down many opposing offensive units.

The 19 players included a dozen seventh graders. The seven eighth graders will be welcomed into the high school program should they all choose to play.

“I anticipate another successful season,” Bergmann said. “We have a great group returning and another great group coming up from the sixth grade.”