From the sideline, varsity head Coach Michelle Federico watched the game with intensity and enthusiasm. Once a goal was scored, Coach Federico sparked up with excitement. Her passion for the sport shined through her expression, as the effort that she put into the girls had finally paid off.

At 5:30 on Oct. 5, the field hockey team took on the Park View Patriots. Although Junior Ayesha Ansari made a goal in the first quarter for the Phoenix, the match ended with a 2-1 Phoenix loss.

Federico, the head coach of the varsity field hockey team, was actively in charge during the game. Federico said that the team has been improving over the last few games. “We’re very much a beginning team, most of our players had never played field hockey before,” Federico said. “So, in that sense, they are doing really well…overall, it’s a little harder with our competition. But as a team, from where they started, they are doing really well.”

Federico  started coaching the Phoenix team after getting her USA Field Hockey certification. But that didn’t come without any difficulties. “It’s [challenging] getting girls out who are interested in [field hockey] because there are not a lot of players with experience here.” Federico said. Despite this, Federico has high expectations for her team.  “I expect a lot, I push them hard. They do a lot of running that they don’t like. I expect them to be working hard. And I just want my athletes to be all around good people.”

Her high expectations have inspired the players of the field hockey team. “My coaches have inspired me to push through and keep going during tough games when I am really tired,” Ansari said. “I was able to score my first goal during the October 5th Parkview home game, and that never would have been possible without my coaches helping me become confident in myself and my abilities.”

The team has high hopes for the next game, even after their close loss. Before the Phoenix and the Patriots bid each other good luck and after the Phoenix and the Patriots left each other with “good game,” the team has and will continue to practice just as Federico had said, with determination and confidence. 

Gallery • 7 Photos

Bella Gerardi

As the final quarter approaches, Coach Federico gives the girls a final pep talk to revamp the energy and confidence that the Phoenix had in the first quarter.