Field hockey poised for new year

Field hockey, the uniquely elegant game played in the fall only by high school girls in Vermont gets underway this week as the Marble Valley League teams swing into action.
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SPRINGFIELD This will be a big transition year for the Springfield Cosmos. With two new coaches – Lyndsie Perkins and Kelly Ranado – only four seniors and 10 sophomores, the Cosmos are looking to rebuild the program. “We’re young but we have a great sophomore class coming in so we’re pointing to the future,” said Perkins, who played here for Joy Benson and for a year at the University of Vermont. “We’re taking a new approach and going back to working on the fundamentals.” That said, Perkins and Ranado, a former goalie, are planning to build this year’s squad around the four seniors – Maygan Daley, Alyssa McCutcheon, Brynne Sidney and Nicole Patterson. The Cosmos should be very strong up front as three of the seniors return as forwards. Perkins said that Ranado will work with last year’s JV goalie to prepare her for the varsity competition and with only 21 players in the program, they will utilize players in a variety of positions. Because there are not enough to field a full JV team, Perkins is hoping to schedule some 7 vs. 7 games to get the younger girls playing experience. She is also looking to grow the program and has discussed strategies to do so with Bellows Falls coach Bethany Coursen. “We want to help girls to be in tough with the Parks and Rec program,” said Perkins, who along with Ranado teach at the Union Street Elementary school. “We want to build the program and get people involved. But we are both really psyched, so excited for the season.” Springfield opens at Bellows Falls Friday.