Sports
Field Hockey team surges with power
Sarah Ghidina
Mar 18, 2008 - 12:10:55 PM

For Lindbergh Girls’ Indoor Field Hockey, the odds are not always in their favor. A low-funded club sport, indoor field hockey remains the underdog of winter athletics.
Despite such setbacks, the Flyers aren’t complaining; they’ll do just about anything to play. From outdoor practices held in freezing cold weather to dishing out over $250 per player for uniforms, equipment, and league fees, these girls are all too familiar with the drawbacks of being a club sport.
“It is unfortunate that [field hockey] is not an actual sport at Lindbergh. If we were sponsored as an actual sport, we would have more money and we could be better,” said Meagan Moore (11).
After a 15-year absence, LHS field hockey was revived as a club sport in 2003.  And although 4 years have passed, LHS has yet to grant the sport full school sponsorship.  
Without such school support, the girls’ only opportunity to play during the winter is by participating in the indoor field hockey league held at Vetta Sports Complex. A recreational league for other teams, the Flyers see this league as the whole of their season.
But by no means does this weaken the competition. The Flyers face such field hockey power-houses as Cor Jesu Academy, Nerinx Hall, St. Joseph’s Academy, and 2007 MSHAA State Champions,Villa Duchesne.
On Dec. 18th, the Flyers will face off against a team combined of both Cor Jesu and Nerinx Hall students, and on Jan. 23rd, Brentwood will be the team to beat.
Until then, LHS field hockey will be practicing hard to prepare for these tough games. But some of the players claim that the practices are just as rigorous as the games. While their competition practices in accommodating indoor facilities, the Lindbergh girls practice wherever they can find a field despite the brutal winter weather. This is another consequence of being a club sport.
But despite the lack of funding and school support, the team remains high-spirited and self-sufficient.
“Being a club sport can make it more personal. We’re on our own and that can be more fun,” said Moore.
Led by Kate McDonald (12) , Liz Bergmann (12), captains, and Hannah Detring (12), student-coach,  the Flyers are accustomed to the independence.  For years, they have relied on a democracy-style system of organization.  
The “veterans,” or players who have been on the team the longest, are in charge of making most of the executive decisions, such as who will make the try-out or what the uniforms will look like.  And although the veterans are in charge of most of the decision-making, the team remains extremely close and all of the players work very well together.  
 “The team is looking good this year. There is a lot of young talent that will carry the team for the next few years, as well as a lot of strong seniors,” said McDonald.
The Flyer’s back field is led by Ashley George (12), Nicole Hunt (12), and McDonald, while the midfield consists of Kristin McGilligan (12), Allie Lenzen (11), Katie Gardner (11),  and Moore.  Leading the Flyers offense are forwards Taylor Hawkins (11), Claudia Fletcher (10), Maddie Moss (10), Kim Williams (10), Kellie Hanephin (10), and Bergmann.
The Flyers are currently 2-1-0, defeating an Oakville squad and a team combined of Marquette and Kirkwood students, and losing to Lutheran South.
    
   


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