BY BROOKE DAVIES AND NATALIE REYNOLDS

Despite losing four key players, the Panther Field Hockey team is headed to the first round of the playoffs.

Pushing through an array of injuries, the girls were able to stay together and play as a team.

“Teamwork is truly one of the most important things, especially when facing adversity,” Senior Captain Brooke Davies said. “When we are working together and communicating well on the field, we have our strongest games.”

The top 32 teams in the Division I Northeast Conference make it into the tournament.The Beverly Varsity Girls Field Hockey team is currently ranked 24th in the MIAA power rankings. 

The team is putting in extra time to prepare for the stiff competition ahead. Players have been practicing daily, some for fifteen hours a week, to prepare for the faceoff against Hingham, ranked 9th in the MIAA power rankings. 

“We have had so much fun this season, getting to know each other more and truly becoming a family,” said Davies. “We aren’t just a team, we are a family.” 

“The field hockey team had a hard year with injuries”, she mentioned when asked about setbacks this season. 

When explaining what she wanted to leave with the team after she graduates, she said she “wants the team to know they truly always have each other.” 

I want them to take this season and recognize how much talent they truly have, and go into next year with positive, determined mindsets”. 

The captain added, “Going into the playoffs, I am excited to see our full potential. We are a extremely talented and as long as we go onto the field with confidence and work together, I have faith we can be the #24 underdogs who take down the #9 team”