By Sydney Case, Staff Writer
The River Hill Varsity Field Hockey team showed resilience and growth at this year’s Fall Tournament, facing off against South River and Bel Air in two high-stakes games. The Hawks had a tough 1-5 loss to South River in the opening match, but an impressive 3-1 win over Bel Air, it being their first tournament victory in several years, and their first official win of the season.
The win was especially meaningful after a rocky start to the fall, with River Hill dropping both pre-season scrimmages against Blair and South Carroll. The early losses sparked determination in the team, and the results were clear on the field as they put together a strong performance against Bel Air.
Team captains Victoria Hammer and Sophia Chudnovsky also praised the group’s performance and improvement. “Our win on Friday felt like proof that all of the hours and hard work we’ve been putting in at practice have been paying off. With only two returning starters, we’ve had a lot of new players stepping up, and it’s been amazing to see how quickly we’re coming together as a team,” said Hammer. “I’m really hopeful for this season and can’t wait to see what we will achieve together.”
Chudnovsky added, “We’re really excited for this season! Focusing on the present positive process (PPP) has been our go-to motto.”
Junior Camila Cornell scored the first goal just one minute into the game. “The team’s energy was through the roof from the first whistle,” said Cornell. “Our sidelines were getting super hype, and that definitely gave me the confidence to go out there and put the ball in the cage.”
Cornell’s early strike set the tone for the rest of the game, with sophomore Olivia Creighton and freshman Allison Han adding to the score later on. “I love how our team moves the ball,” Creighton added. “Millie George and I were able to create an amazing give and go play that resulted in a great scoring opportunity.” Cornell’s early goal and the rest of the team’s stellar performance, allowed them to secure that win.
A standout storyline from the tournament was the return of junior Millie George, who suffered a season-ending injury at the very same tournament last year. George broke her foot during the South River game in 2024 and was out the rest of the season. This year, she returned stronger than ever, starting at center forward and contributing two assists across the weekend.
“It feels amazing to be back and playing with the team again,” George said after the win. “I’ve been working so hard to get here, and I’m just really proud of how we played.”
River Hill’s victory over Bel Air not only marked a turning point in their season but also proved how much progress the team has made in just a few weeks. With stronger chemistry, improved communication, and better confidence, the Hawks are looking ahead with optimism of a great season.