by Aaron Garcia
The Charlotte Latin Hawks: 2010 N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association field hockey champions.
In nearly every way, Oct. 30 was perfect for the Charlotte Latin field hockey team, as the Hawks clipped Raleigh Ravenscroft, 4-0, to clinch the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association championship. The win improved their record to a sparkling 21-0.
The championship is Latin’s first in the sport after reaching the finals three times this decade: 2004, 2007 and 2009.
“It’s nice to finally get their state championship in field hockey,” Hawks coach Deb Savino said after emerging from the postgame dogpile. “They’ve been to the final so many times, and they just haven’t been able to pull it out. This was nice. They worked hard all season.”
Early on, though, it seemed as if Ravenscroft was the team with destiny on its side, as the Ravens outhustled the Hawks to a 0-0 tie at halftime. But just minutes into the second half, Caroline Kelly fired a blast into the back of the Ravens’ goal. Minutes later, Kelly connected with Mia Kane to give Latin a 2-0 advantage.
“I was just so relieved that we could get it together as a team and finally pick it up and play like we know how to – the way we played all season,” said Kelly.
Callie Kennedy and Becca Jones added Charlotte Latin goals.
The Hawks’ championship roster included Sarah Barry, Becca Jones, Mary Lewis, Ellie Shield, Ann Baynard, Stephanie Coma, Tyler Cooney, Aseda Ghartney-Tagoe, Kane, Kelly, Kennedy, Libby Lamb, Myers McGarry, Claire Pace, Evy Royther, Isabel Steen, Sarah Whitmore, Sara Thomas and Katie Summa.
Kennedy led the team with 28 goals this season, followed by Royther (20) and Kane (18). Kane led the team with 18 assists, followed closely by Kelly’s 17. On the season, the Hawks outscored their opponents 102-5 behind the stellar defense of goalie McGarry, who posted 16 shutouts while saving over 91 percent of the shots she faced.
Junior co-captain Steen explained that an Oct. 5 win against rival Charlotte Country Day put the championship run in motion. In that game, the Hawks faced their first deficit of the season after the Bucs took a 1-0 lead.
“Once we came back, tied the game and won it (2-1),” Steen said, “I think that really gave us the confidence we needed to continue on to this point.”
In the end, camaraderie trumped experience, and their state championship proves it, said Kelly.
“Eventually, I think people stepped up – on the field and off – to lead,” she said. “We really came together as a team, and we won a state championship.”
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