Field hockey is never out of season for Mahar Regional.
A collection of Mahar players entered and played in the Smith College Outdoor Tournament on April 28 in Northampton.
The tournament is a fundraiser for the Smith College field hockey program with teams paying a fee to participate.
The tournament consisted of mostly club teams. Mahar Regional coach Laurie Saisa attended the tournament but did not coach.
“I just organized the kids and facilitated the information,” Saisa said. “We had to pay to be there. We had a volunteer parent out there coaching.”
Mahar played in a U-16 bracket with five other teams. The Senators played 25-minute games that were essentially back-to-back.
“My girls were exhausted,” Saisa said. “ But they did great. These club players play year round.”
The Senators got some solid play from Gracie Marsh and Aileen Fitzgerald on the front-line.
Both Fitzgerald and Marsh will have a bigger role when the high school season begins at the end of the summer.
Also playing well was Abby Henne who is a versatile player for the Senators.
Sophia Woods is an eighth grader for Mahar and could see some significant time at midfield next season.
“They all played outstanding,” Saisa said. “It was nice to see the growth and how much stronger they are. They are a year older.”
Sophomore Hannah Dupont was a starting midfielder for the Senators last season.
“I loved going out with the girls who are younger,” Dupont said. “It was a really good opportunity for the girls coming up this year.”
Each team gets four games guaranteed with added games with victories. The Senators placed second.
“We did okay,” Dupont said. “Not our best. Our passing game is better than it’s been in year’s past but nowhere near as it good as we can be.”
The Senators picked up a couple of goalies from Maine at the last moment.
Mahar lost to Element Field Hockey in the finals of their bracket.
