Over the 2021 and 2020 seasons combined, the Salisbury High School field hockey team won eight games total. The 2022 Falcons already have six victories with five games still to be played during the regular season.

Head coach Jane Brennan sees a difference in this year’s team in how it goes about playing the game.

“This season the team has played with nothing but passion and grit,” said Brennan. “It is clear that the girls will do anything for each other, which translates into great teamwork on the field. Looking forward the team would love to extend its season and make it to districts this year.”

Since September 12, Salisbury has won six of its last eight games, including three wins last week against Kutztown, Saucon Valley and Lehighton.

“Last week was a busy game week for the girls,” said Brennan. “They played three out of four games on grass, which requires more effort than turf. Despite missing players, injuries and playing in bad weather, the team pulled together and earned three more wins. The girls played with intensity and determination.”

Communication and time has been a benefit to this season’s Falcons, according to Brennan.

“The starters have a bond with each other that has allowed them to execute plays as if they can read each other’s minds,” Brennan said. “As a coach it is very exciting to see the team progress and start to gel. Seeing girls gain experience by working together is my favorite part of coaching.”

There have been plenty of Falcon players that have helped the team achieve a 6-4-1 overall record and a potential postseason berth.

“The team is doing a wonderful job of pushing the ball to the right side of the field,” Brennan said. “Senior Ella DeFazio, freshman Gwyn DeFazio and senior Kendall Schaffer work so well together and are interchangeable in their positions creating many scoring opportunities for players like our leading scorer, freshman Kendra Morgan. In the backfield, junior Bailee Neitz and freshman Meredith Kelley have supported our team by playing many defensive positions in the wake of injuries and missing players. Senior goalkeeper Olivia Ringholm has tirelessly defended our goal and has shown leadership in the backfield.”

Salisbury has two Colonial League games this week, at home against Palisades on Wednesday and on the road at Moravian Academy on Friday.