Finley Field Hockey Off to Great Start

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School field hockey team is off to a successful start. The squad is captained by Ava Bencivenga, Shealyn Gilroy, Campbell Arthur, Karina Rodgriquez and Alexa Wasoski.

“They are doing a great job leading the girls in the right directions,” said head coach Marissa Bergmann about Finley’s captains. “This team is off to a great start. They are working hard to learn the rules and different positions. We had a great win against East Northport.”

Bergmann said the team is striving to succeed both on the field and in the classroom, too. “They are great student-athletes who want to give back to their community,” the coach said. “We are organizing a ‘fill a box’ food drive to donate Thanksgiving meals to many families throughout the area.”

Finley hosts Northport on Thursday at 4:45 p.m. and then plays a skilled Commack team on October 10. “We tied them last year,” Bergmann said.

Finley boasts returning eighth graders Darcy Rimkunas, Ava Bencivenga, Bella Bernzweig, Taylor Ranft, Gabrielle Jones, Regan Murtagh, Karina Rodgriquez, Alexa Wasoski, Shealyn Gilroy, Campbell Arthur and Saira Amin.

The roster also includes seventh graders Francesca D’Eloia, Tallulah Koepele, Kellen Anderson, Paige Falk, Norah Golden, Luisa Mackay, Shelby Meystrik, Gianna Parides, Maya Schneider, Abigail Uvena, Katherine Van Horn and Caitlyn Wegielnik.

Finley looks like this on the field:

Offense/Forwards: Darcy Rimkunas, Bella Bernzweig, Regan Murtagh, Alexa Wasoski, Kellen Anderson, Abigail Uvena, Caitlyn Wegielnik, Gabrielle Jones

Midfield line: Ava Bencivenga, Paige Falk, Norah Golden, Luisa Mackay, Shelby Meystrik, Maya Schneider, Campbell Arthur

Defensive line: Taylor Ranft, Karina Rodgriquez, Shealyn Gilroy, Saira Amin, Francesca D’Eloia, Paige Falk, Gianna Parides

Finley goalies Katherine Van Horn “has experience as a lacrosse goalie so she is transitioning very well,” Bergmann said.

The team is playing a nine game schedule that culminates on November 1 at powerful Oldfield at 5 p.m.