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Welcome to the website for the field hockey team of Northwood High School in Silver Spring, Md., part of the Montgomery County Public Schools. The team is coached by Katie Parsons .
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Field hockey honors Solomon and Brenner
The Northwood varsity girls field hockey team singled out two members for post-season honors: Leah Solomon and Eleni Brenner.
Leah Solomon, a senior, was given the Coach's Choice award for her leadership and dedication. Varsity Coach Katie Parsons said this of Solomon: "This award goes to a girl who never missed practice and was always asking what she can do to improve. She put everything she had into every practice and game and always was looking at what was best for the team. She is a great leader to the underclassmen and will be missed."
Senior goalie Eleni Brenner was honored as the varsity team's Most Valuable Player. Of her team's MVP, who also served as team captain, Parsons said: "I feel like I could have given this award to many of the girls because they all stood out at one point or another throughout the season. This girl again was always at practice and was always looking at how she could improve herself and the team. She worked hard with the defense and they kept us in games many times. It has been great seeing her grow on and off the field and I look forward to hearing more about her on the field hockey field in the future."
[Photos of all award winners appear in
Susan Shaffer's Smugmug gallery.]
On the junior varsity field hockey team, Coach Amanda Arnoult presented the Most Valuable Player to Anna Zastrow.
Parsons offered a short wrapup of the 2009 season at Northwood's fall sports recognition program on Tuesday night (Nov. 10). The Gladiators finished the year with a 2-10 won-loss record. She delivered these remarks from the podium about the just-completed season:
"This was a really great season showing so much improvement. I really enjoyed coaching this group of players. On the first day of tryouts we had 14 girls come out for JV and Varsity -- we need 11 players for each team -- so we definitely needed to do some recruiting. By the third game we had just enough to put on the field with no substitutes for either team, and that is how it stayed for the rest of the season. The girls never complained and played their hardest every game. We had two big wins against Wheaton and Kennedy, we went into overtime in three games this season, and we were very close in our other games only losing by a few points in most.
"My first season coaching here, we were losing every game and they weren’t even close. The girls have grown into a team that other teams do not take lightly. I am very excited for what’s to come from the girls in the coming years. I want to thank all the parents for all their support this season. I really appreciate all of your help and willingness to offer a hand. I also want to thank the seniors. My first year here was their freshmen year. It has been a great experience growing this team with them and they will all be greatly missed." --
posted by jay p. goldman, 4:30 p.m. 11/11/09
Feedback to jgoldman@aasa.org. What do you like about this team's web page and what can be improved?
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Seneca Valley 2, Northwood 1 (OT)
In the mud and a constant drizzle, the 2009 varsity field hockey season came to an abrupt and somewhat disappointing end for the Northwood team on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 27).
In the opening round of the Maryland state tournament, the Gladiator girls lost to Seneca Valley HS, 2-1 in overtime.
Coach Katie Parsons' stick-handlers fought to the bitter end of this match.
Seneca Valley, which managed its first victory of the regular season against Northwood just a week earlier, grabbed a 1-0 lead early in the first half of this latest encounter in the opening round of the West Region Class 3A playoffs. But Northwood battled back, getting the tying goal from junior Samantha King just before halftime.
Despite continued pressure on the visitors� net, Northwood was unable to break through and take the lead, launching the game into overtime. The earlier match, on Oct. 20, also went into overtime with SV winning, 1-0.
As darkness enveloped the field, Seneca Valley was able to tip in the deciding goal with only 30 seconds remaining on the clock, sending that squad onto the second round against the No. 1 seed, Quince Orchard HS.
The defeat ends the Northwood season with a 2-10 overall won-loss mark.
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-- posted by jay p. goldman, 10:45 p.m. 10/27/09
View photos of the game by Susie Shaffer and the Gazette
________________________________________________________Solomon, and Marika Lewis were honored prior to the game. | Rain Ends Regular Season Prematurely
Northwood lost out on the final game of the 2009 regular season on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 24). But this time, it was the elements that did in the girls varsity field hockey team.
As drizzle turned to rain and then to deluge, the Gaithersburg and Northwood teams reluctantly agreed to cancel their scheduled game after
consultation with the referees. The game was set to take place on the Gaithersburg field.
As both teams begin the state's post-season tournament next week, the game will not be rescheduled.
The Glads this finish the regular season with a 2-9 overall record.
The team now will move into the opening round of the West Region Class 3A playoffs on Tuesday with an excellent chance of advancing. Northwood, in a blind draw, has been matched up on their own field against the only team in their division with fewer wins this fall, Seneca Valley HS. Of course, the latter did come up with a regular season victory over the Gladiators just a few days ago. Game time is 4 p.m. (See more details in story below.) -- posted by jay p. goldman with reporting by eric brenner, 9:40 p.m. 10/24/09
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Glads Say Hi Again to Foe in Playoff Opener
A familiar foe looms on the near horizon for the girls field hockey team. In the opening round of the state�s West Region Class 3A tournament, the Gladiators have drawn a team they just faced a few days ago, Seneca Valley HS.
This time, by luck of the draw, the Gladiators grabbed a No. 6 placement in the 12-team regional field, allowing them to host Seneca Valley in the knockout event. The first-round match will take place at 4 p.m. Northwood on Tues., Oct. 27. A $5 admission charge is required by the state.
Host Seneca Valley won the first meeting, an evenly played match, on Oct. 20, 1-0 in overtime. The victory was Seneca Valley's first of the 2009 season, coming in its 11th match.
The first-round winner will face the West Region�s No. 3 seed, Einstein HS, two or three days later. Einstein, which drew a bye in round 1, defeated the Gladiators, 2-1, earlier in the fall. In that match, the Titans fell behind, 1-0, before roaring back with a pair of unanswered goals against the Glads.
Here�s the link to the entire state tournament playoff schedule in field hockey: http://www.mpssaa.org/assets/fallsports/fieldhockey/FHOC3A'09.pdf.
Coach Katie Parsons� varsity stick-wielders will finish the regular season on the road Saturday before jumping right into the playoff pool. � posted by jay p. goldman, 10/22/09
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Game 11: Blair 6, Northwood 1
In a battle for neighborhood bragging rights, it'll be the Montgomery Blair Blazers who'll get to do the boasting about field hockey for another year.
After staying close for much of the game, Northwood's varsity stick-wielders dropped a 6-1 decision to their University Boulevard rivals on Thursday night (Oct. 22) under the lights at Northwood's Kaplan Stadium.
Inspired by a large Senior Night crowd, the out-numbered Gladiators put up a valient fight nonetheless, trailing just 1-0 at the interval.
Northwood's goal came early in the second half, scored by Samantha King on a
crisp pass from Courtney Ulmer. This cut the visitors' lead to 2-1, but with Blair substituting frequently they were able to wear down the Northwood girls and eventually push the lead toward the final margin.
The Northwood squad displayed better stick skills and a higher level of energy than during their loss earlier in the week to Seneca Valley, whom the team will meet again in the West Region playoffs.
Blair improved its overall record to 6-4, while the Glads fell to 2-9, with the team's regular season finale on Saturday afternoon at Gaithersburg HS.
Seniors Eleni Brenner, Jessica Davis, Sara Mozersky, Valya Smithka, Leah Solomon and Marika Lewis were honored prior to the game. -- posted by jay p. goldman, 10:45 p.m., 10/22/09
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Game 10: Seneca Valley 1, Northwood 0 (OT)
The Gladiators came ever so close to capturing win No. 3 on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 20), dropping a 1-0 decision in overtime to host Seneca Valley HS at the start of the final week of the 2009 regular season.
Coach Katie Parsons, disappointed her team couldn't push one into the opponents' net, said after the contest, "We did have an offensive stroke during the game though."
Northwood plays its final home game on Thursday against neighborhood rival Montgomery Blair. Just prior to the 7 p.m. faceoff, the Glads will honor their senior class members.
The Glads departed the Seneca Valley match with a 2-8 won-loss record. The team will play in a knockout regional tournament next week against another Class 3A school in the state's West Region. The tourney's draw has not yet taken place. -- posted by jay p. goldman, 1 p.m., 10/21/09
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Game 9: Poolesville 5, Northwood 0
The Northwood varsity field hockey squad fell flat against one of the county's better teams in Poolesville HS, dropping a shutout on the winners' field on Monday afternoon (Oct. 12).
No further details have been reported.
Coach Katie Parsons' stick wielders fell to 2-7 overall this fall.
The Gladiators now get eight days to rest up before making a roadtrip north again to face Seneca Valley HS in Germantown on Oct. 20. After the unusual late-season layoff, Northwood will play three times in five days to close out the regular season. -- posted by jay p. goldman, 11:25 p.m., 10/12/09
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Game 8: Richard Montgomery 8, Northwood 0
Facing an opponent that had won just a single match this fall, the Northwood varsity field hockey squad expected a positive outcome from its contest against visiting Richard Montgomery HS on Friday afternoon (Oct. 9).
But instead Coach Katie Parsons' Glad girls fell flat in this outing in a bid to gain a second successive victory and dropped the one-sided encounter to the Rockets.
Entering this week's play, Richard Montgomery had won just once in seven matches and was perched in last place in the county's 4A/3A Division. The loss dropped the Gladiator stick-handlers to 2-6 overall. They remain 2-2 in the 3A/2A Division.
Next up is a home match on Monday afternoon against Poolesville HS. Then comes an unusual eight-day, late-season layoff before the team plays three times in five days to close out the regular season. -- posted by jay p. goldman, 11 p.m., 10/9/09
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Cause for celebration as the Northwood Gladiators emerge victorious in their match with Kennedy! More game photos here. JUST IN- SOME REALLY NICE PHOTOS TAKEN BY THE GAMEDAY MARYLAND PHOTOGRAPHER.
Game 7: Northwood 2, Kennedy 0
Scoring a goal in each half, the Northwood girls varsity field hockey team notched another win, defeating Kennedy HS, 2-0, on Wednesday (Oct. 7).
Northwood played an outstanding game on their home ground in raising the 2009 won-loss mark to 2-5.
" The girls played tough and controlled the ball most of the game," reported Coach Katie Parsons. "The defense played strong, only allowing a couple of shots on goal."
On the offensive end, Sarah Dayhoff and Valya Smithka provided all the offense Northwood needed. The tallies were their first goals of the season.
Parsons' stick wielders will return to action at home on Friday, hosting Richard Montgomery in a 3:30 p.m. encounter. -- posted by jay p. goldman with reporting by susie shaffer, 10:05 a.m., 10/7/09
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Game 6: Einstein 2, Northwood 1
No details of this game were reported yet.
Northwood fought hard against a tough Einstein team. The Gladiators scored first but the Lady Titans came back to take the win 2-1. Click here to see more game photos.
Game 5: Rockville 3, Northwood 0
Coming off the emotional high of the team�s first victory of the fall just a few days prior, the Northwood girls field hockey team sustained a tough 3-0 loss to host Rockville HS on Friday afternoon (Sept. 25).
The Glads put in a full-team effort, knowing that�s what it would take to stake out their second win. And for much of the match, that effort made a difference as the visitors looked to duplicate their shutout victory over Wheaton.
But the Northwood force ran out of steam. They held the host Rams without a goal until 10 minutes had expired in the second half.
Again playing a full game with no substitutes, the Gladiators advanced and retreated down the field with urgency. Brandy Moser was a powerhouse again in the midfield with numerous plays that advanced the ball up the field. Teammate Sarah Dayholf stood out as an aggressive leader on the offensive side with a number of fast breaks and defensive take backs. Northwood had several scoring opportunities with corners but was unable to put the ball in.
On the defensive end, senior goalie Eleni Brenner had an excellent game, showing her aggressive edge during her many clears up the field.
Rockville needed most of the contest to break through the stalwart defensive work. After talling their first, the Rams (3-2 overall) didn�t hit the back of the mesh again until the final two minutes of the contest, hitting paydirt twice in that frame.
Coach Katie Parsons� varsity side played with its heart and soul on display right down to the last second. The defeat felt especially bitter because the opposing coach served as Northwood�s varsity coach when the current crop of seniors were freshmen.
Northwood (1-4 overall) will take a short road trip to Einstein this Saturday The game originally scheduled for 9/29 with Poolesville has been re-scheduled for Monday, October 12. � posted by jay p. goldman with reporting by valya smithkia, 10:10 p.m., 9/25/09
All smiles after the win against Wheaton on Monday. Game photos are posted here.
Game 4: Northwood 4, Wheaton 0
The girls who compose the varsity field hockey team at Northwood never lost faith despite opening the current season with three straight setbacks. And on Monday (Sept. 21), their hard work paid off handsomely with the Gladiators posting a 4-0 shutout over host Wheaton HS.
Northwood started the game strong but couldn't seem to break Wheaton's defense until junior Samantha King reached the back of the net on assists from fellow forwards Sarah Dayhoff, a junior, and senior Courtney Ulmer. It marked the first tally of the season for the Gladiators, giving the overworked defense some breathing space.
Then it was like clockwork for the Gladiators as Ulmer and King scored the second and third goals.
After the game, Gladiator goalie Eleni Brenner, a senior, said she collected a record-low three saves throughout the whole game since her mates controlled the ball for so much of the time.
The girls from Northwood (1-3 overall) celebrated their first win by chasing Coach Katie Parsons around the field with the water jug. But Tuesday it�s back to work at practice so the team can find their next victory quickly. Next up is an away contest at Rockville HS under the lights on Friday. � posted by jay p. goldman, 9:25 p.m., 9/21/09
Feedback? What do you like or think could be better about this team's website? Send comments to editor Jay P. Goldman (jgoldman@aasa.org)
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Game 3: Sherwood 6, Northwood 0
In a home contest, the Gladiators played hospitable hosts to Sherwood HS, allowing the Warriors side to leave with a 6-0 victory on Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 15).
The Northwood girls played their first home game in the rain. They stayed strong despite the conditions. The defense was lead by Eleni Brenner, Brandy Moser and Leah Solomon.
Coach Katie Parsons' Northwood stick-handlers (0-3) resume competitive play next Monday versus Wheaton HS on the Gladiators field. -- posted by jay p. goldman, 10:55 p.m., 9/15/09
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Game 2: Paint Branch 10, Northwood 0
The Gladiator stick-handlers are going to be fittest band of high school field hockey players around this fall. With only 11 players on the varsity, just enough to fill each position on the field, Northwood dropped its second match of the season Friday afternoon (Sept. 11) in a road contest at Paint Branch HS in Burtonsville.
Northwood battled to the end, though without much activity in its offensive end of the wet pitch. The host Panthers, with the benefit of a 20-player roster, were able to substitute liberally throughout the contest.
Senior co-captain Eleni Brenner took a bit of a pounding in the goal for the Gladiators, but she prevented a number of certain scores by the Panthers.
Coach Katie Parsons's Northwood side (0-2) returns to the friendly confines of its home field in search of its intial win for a 5 p.m. face-off on Tuesday against another bigger foe, Sherwood HS. Then the team gets a seven-day break before resuming competition. -- posted by jay p. goldman, 10:10 p.m., 9/11/09
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Game 1: Watkins Mill 1, Northwood 0
Northwood�s varsity field hockey squad certainly came prepared to give battle in its 2009 season opener at Watkins Mill HS in Gaithersburg on Wednesday (Sept. 9), and for the opening 10 minutes of the contest, it was Gladiator domination.
Northwood�s offense controlled play in front of the hosts� goal mouth, resulting in many corners and shots on goal. Unfortunately, field hockey is usually a game of few goals, and Northwood was just unable to put one in. Neither side scored in the opening half.
The second half started much the same as the first with Northwood dominating action. Notably, Northwood played the match with no substitutes while Watkins Mill had a full bench available. Northwood forward Samantha King had many fast breaks leading to shots on goal. Brandy Moser was a force to be reckoned with in the midfield with able assistance from teammate Martha Lee. Jessica Davis� defensive play was fast and aggressive. Northwood goalie Eleni Brenner made 9 clears.
Northwood again took control during the last five minutes of regulation play but just could not cash in. This forced the contest into sudden death overtime. In the 5th minute of extra time, a Watkins Mill player got a clean breakaway from Northwood�s defense, dodged the goalie and hit the ball to the left corner where a tipper was waiting for the lone goal of the afternoon.
The Northwood varsity gets another chance for victory when visiting Paint Branch on Friday before returning home on Tuesday, Sept. 15 for a contest with Sherwood.
JV report: Northwood's junior varsity team is filled mostly with newcomers to the sport of field hockey with only two returning players, Elena Kochnowicz and Katie Baughn. Neither Northwood nor Watkins Mill had a full roster so the game was played with 9 players on the field.
Watkins Mill came out blazing and scored in the first 5 minutes. Northwood regained composure and was able to keep Watkins Mill scoreless for the remainder of the first half. Play continued equally throughout the remainder, but Watkins Mill was able to connect twice more in the 2nd half.
Northwood�s JV team did an outstanding job of keeping play even for most of the game, getting off shots on goal and using a first-time goalie. � story posted by jay p. goldman, jeanette davis and kathy buck, 10:35 p.m., 9/09/09
Gladiator Field Hockey Squad Sees Continued Growth in '09
The Gladiators� varsity field hockey team seeks continued improvement this fall under the tutelage of Coach Katie Parsons.
The team opens with two games on the road before its home opener on Tues., Sept. 15 against Sherwood HS. The match at Northwood starts at 5 p.m. One of the highlights of the 12-game schedule will be the Battle of the Boulevard match against Montgomery Blair on Oct. 22 on the Northwood grass.
The Northwood side is expected to be led by a trio of returning players -- Eleni Brenner, Valeriya Smithka and Leah Solomon. All three are seniors.
They are expected to lead the progress of Northwood�s stick-handlers, who captured two of 12 varsity contests in 2008 after struggling through a winless 13-match season in 2006, which was the school�s first year of varsity play after reopening as a high school.
The team has an experienced field hockey performer in Parsons, who is back for her third year at the helm after a stint as Northwood�s junior varsity coach and a fine career as a player at Bridgewater College in Virginia. During her collegiate playing days, she was named to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference�s all-academic team.
Parsons, who teaches phys-ed at Francis Scott Key MS in Silver Spring, shared her aspirations for the new field hockey season with the Silver Spring Gazette in a preseason article. "This season, I expected to continue to see them grow on the field. I have seen great teamwork and leadership throughout the team and I am so excited for the upcoming season." -- posted by jay p. goldman, 3:40 p.m., 9/7/09
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