For three consecutive seasons, the Fox Chapel Area field hockey team has fought its way to the WPIAL Class 2A championship game, only to fall short and finish as the runner-up each time. While reaching the finals is a big accomplishment, the players are determined to switch up the outcome and capture the elusive gold medal this time.
The team has already cleared one of its biggest hurdles by defeating eight-time WPIAL champion Penn-Trafford in a nail-biting semifinals matchup. With only four minutes left on the clock, junior Emma Srodes blasted a shot from the 10-yard line to defeat the Warriors, 2-1, and secure the Foxes a spot in the championship game.
The Foxes next challenge is huge: They face top-ranked Peters Township in the championship game at noon November 2, at Washington & Jefferson College.
While they may enter the game as underdogs, defender and senior Ridglee Boychuk says, “Peters is a great team, and it will be a very competitive game. I know we have the skills to win, but we will definitely have to fight for it.”
Midfielder Atia DiGioia echoes her teammate’s thoughts. “I think a major part of it is mental. Peters is a very good team, but so are we. We have beaten them before, so we can do it again.”
Grit and Determination
First-year field hockey coach Kellee Cribby, who also leads the Foxes girls lacrosse team, attributes the squad’s success to several factors.
“Our ability to grit out strong results, even when we’re not at our best, is a testament to the hard work we’ve put in all season,” coach Cribby explains. “This team has dedicated itself to building trust and reliance on each other, and it shows in our resilience on the field. Even when the game doesn’t go exactly as planned, their commitment to playing as a team allows us to find a way to win.”
Coach Cribby believes a key to clinching the championship is for the team members to remain calm and collected for the entire 60 minutes.
Midfielder junior Brooke Thiele agrees, saying, “Staying calm and collected is a hard thing to do in a stressful game, but we need to remind each other that we are talented players and to stay confident. We need to play the game we know how to play and not get flustered, even if we are down.”
United Effort
Coach Cribby has been impressed with the degree the team has improved since the preseason.
“We’ve made a lot of strides in terms of our consistency, skill development, and teamwork,” explains the coach. “By focusing on the fundamentals, we’ve built a solid foundation that’s made our gameplay more reliable and coordinated. Each player has become more dependable in her role, and we’re now able to trust in each other’s skills during high-pressure moments. Through a commitment to playing as a team, we’ve developed a supportive and unified atmosphere on and off the field, which makes us stronger together.”
The Foxes enter the finals with a season record of 10-6-1 and a section tally of 8-3-1. In addition to captain Ridglee, other key contributors have included senior goalkeeper and captain Gina Fitzsimmons, defender junior Katie Siddons, midfielders Brooke and Atia, and forwards Emma and sophomore Melanie Pietz.
Brooke emphasizes the team’s urgency on offense.
“Our offense has been working extremely hard on cutting in front of the goalie and defenders in the offensive corner,” she explains. “The more shots we take at goal the better, so we need to be as eager and urgent as possible to get to the ball first and take the shot.”
Emma and senior Annie Mohn are the top scorers this season, each with six goals, followed by Melanie with five and Brooke with three.
“Our biggest strategy is to look up and get up,” Brooke explains. “We are a big passing team, so when we have the ball, our main priority is to look up and, if we don’t have the ball, get up for the teammate that does. Peters has a strong defensive line, so I think strong passes and using the entire field is our best bet (against them). Relying on our own skills is great, but to win against such a great team, we will need to work together in order to move around them.”
Ridglee wants her senior year to end with the top title and reflects on the journey getting there.
“As a senior, I couldn’t have asked for a better season,” she says. “We took down Penn-Trafford after years of defeat, and I’m fortunate to have great relationships with all my teammates. We truly wouldn’t be where we are without our strong connections as a team and with our coaches.”
Regardless of the final score on November 2, goaltender Gina says, “Being a part of the Fox Chapel Area field hockey team means to put 110% of your effort out on the field and to always be proud of your successes.”
Coach Cribby adds, “Our focus remains on executing our game plan, staying mentally tough, and being ready to adapt if things don’t go as expected. Keeping up our communication and fitness will be key, and so is trusting in everything we’ve built in terms of our skills and belief in each other so we can stay poised under pressure.”
