Finley Field Hockey Ready for Season Opener

A new season has dawned and the J. Taylor Finley Middle School field hockey team is expected to be very competitive against every opponent on its schedule.

Finley will play an eight game schedule with home and away games against Candlewood and East Northport and single contests against Northport, Stimson, Commack and Oldfield.

“I am very excited for the fall season to begin,” said head coach Marissa Bergmann, who teaches physical education at Finley. “We have six returning eighth graders who did a great job last year. Many also attended the booster club camp this summer.”

The returnees include Lauren Dopico, Madelyn Falk, Deveren Flynn, Sophie Hoffman, Emma Sobocienski and Elliot Manu. “All six bring great leadership and experience to help out newcomers,” Bergmann said.

Seventh graders on the squad include Campbell Arthur, Ava Bencivenga, Bella Bernzweig, Critza Cruz, Gracie Griffith, Gabriella Jones, Regan Murtagh, Darcy Rimkunas, Karina Rodriguez, Emma Stensland and Alexa Wasoski.

“Although field hockey is new to our seventh graders, they bring great experience in other sports that I believe will help result in some great play.,” Bergmann said “We have some lacrosse players as well as a few who have experience playing ice hockey, including Campbell Arthur and Gracie Griffith.”

Griffith is slated to be the team’s goalie. “She has already done a great job in practice,” Bergmann said.

Falk, Flynn, Hoffman and Manu are Finley’s captains. The team opens on Monday at Candlewood. “We did very well against them last season,” Bergmann said.

The players and their coach are all feeling good about Finley’s chances for a successful season. “The team has been working really hard so far to improve their skills,” Bergmann said.