Elena Atwater

On Aug. 19, 2025, BVH girls’ field hockey team lost Tuesday’s opening home game against Clairemont. Freshman Addalynn Dewyea (9), senior Ava Phelps (5), senior Mackenzie Koeppen (12) and junior Hannah Grace (26) line-up on the sideline and congratulate CHS’ win.

On Aug. 19, Lady Barons’ Varsity field hockey team lost 5-0 in a fierce matchup against Clairemont High School (CHS). Taking the loss, Varsity head captain, midfielder and senior, Natalia Gil (17), concedes that this was not the first time BVH has lost to a dominant team.

“It was an intense game. Clairemont has a fast and witty offense,” Gil said. “With the addition of new players on our team, we still have to figure out our chemistry and what we need to work on.”

As the clock began, it was clear that this would be a challenging match for BVH. CHS’ first goal occurred during the first quarter on an unassisted play with the ball dribbled 20 yards across the pitch barely slipping past the vigorous BVH defense. The second came from another unassisted goal by CHS in the second quarter, with the ball slicing through the defense just 10 yards away. Midfielder and senior, Mackenzie Koeppen (12), noticed how the lack of communication led to errors on the pitch.

“We need to work on building together as a group, because friendships and bonds really matter. We have only been practicing for two weeks so we still have the whole season ahead of us to make those corrections and get better,” Koeppen said.

Although the Lady Barons began facing defeat, one player in particular persevered through the match. In the third quarter, BVH goalkeeper and freshman, Meagan De La Cruz (6), stole the spotlight as she blocked three goals in a row—in a span of less than ten seconds—. De La Cruz humbly reflects on how relieved she felt when making this spectacular play; a play that does not happen often in field hockey.

“Before the play, I was anxious. I knew that my job was to send out the ball and I was still nervous,” De La Cruz said. “When I made those plays though, I didn’t expect that I would block the ball three times in a row. It was super relieving. But then again, that’s my job as a goalie.”

As the game continued, the pitch was filled with ferocity and intensity. During this tension, midfielder and senior Ella Roberts (11), was near CHS’goal playing a vicious defense, when she slipped and pulled her upper hamstring. She was eventually escorted off the pitch for the remainder of the game. Koeppen recognized how Roberts was an essential part of the game, and how despite the injury, Roberts still supported her teammates from the bench.

“[Roberts] saved the day and she pushed through. She was awesome,” Koeppen said. “Although she was injured, she put her best foot forward and became an important part of our team.”

The last three goals from CHS were a result of their highly performing offense. The first was scored in the third quarter with an assisted pass, and the last two were from the fourth; both unassisted. De La Cruz explained how losing is just a part of the game, but getting better is what counts.

“You win some and you lose some. Just keep your head up and do not think about the loss. Think and reflect about the next game and win,” De La Cruz said. 

As the clock approached zero, the outcome of the game started to become clear. Although BVH had an outcome they did not want, Gil is hopeful of an upcoming season that she will never forget.

“This season will be a good one,” Gil said. “I know these girls are coming out here hungry. They are aggressive and we will keep that initiative and intensity going forward.”