The Hand field hockey team may have just come up short of attaining the two titles it covets the most. Yet what should not be lost in those postseason shortcomings is how skilled the girls were on the field, and their conduct away from it, while producing a club the entire Madison community can be more than proud of.

The Tigers polished off an impressive 15-1 record for the regular season with an undefeated campaign in the SCC, and they were crowned regular season champions. The girls then lost to Guilford in the semifinals of the SCC Tournament in a hard-fought 2-0 contest.

The Tigers were the top seed in both the SCC and Class M State Tournament. In the states draw, they defeated 16th-ranked Watertown 1-0 for the opening round and No. 8 Northwest Catholic 3-1 in the quarterfinals. They then lost a tough 2-1 game against the No. 12 seed and eventual state champion Shepaug Valley to conclude action at 18-3 overall.

Head Coach Sue Leckey explained that the girls’ dreams for championship glory may have been dashed, yet they can hold up their heads high thanks to the intensity and heart they gave every day.

“We finished the season ranked 10th in the state, competed far into the state tournament, and in the semifinals of the SCCs. While the season may have exceeded our initial expectations, as the season flowed, we had begun to believe an SCC title and a state title were in reach,” said Leckey. “We did not realize the full extent of our goals as the season came to a close, but not for lack of effort. Sometimes in the sport of field hockey, the ball doesn't always want to bounce your way. We needed to convert more goals in the home stretch than we were able to, and we allowed the two teams who beat us to get the upper hand. The girls worked hard, chased the dream together, and never surrendered to the adversity we faced. We left the field on both occasions knowing that we could have taken wins if we had pushed a little harder or had a little better luck.”

Making First Team All-SCC were senior Morgan Mastrobattisto–also named the league’s Player of the Year–and classmate Bridget Waters, as well as junior Claire Rickelman. Second Team honorees were senior Hannah Rich, despite missing the final third of the season due to a knee surgery, and junior Maggie Lavin.

Earning spots on the All-State First Team were Mastrobattisto, Rickelman, and Waters. Co-captains Mastrobattisto and Waters will also be recognized as All-State Scholar Athletes.

Additionally, Lavin and Rickelman were invited to play in the Junior Select game on Nov. 23, and Mastrobattisto and Waters will play in the Senior Game. As a team, Hand won every regular season SCC matchup, while only allowing five goals in SCC play.

The goalies, splitting time evenly in the net this season, were junior Brynn Poole and sophomore Avery Waters. They allowed eight goals in the regular season and only five in regular-season conference action.

The leading scorers for Hand were senior Lucy White with 16 goals and four assists, plus Waters with 16 goals and nine assists. The defensive unit consisted of senior Nora Hughes, Rickelman, and junior Lexi Guerette. Lavin added nine tallies and 14 helpers, plus Mastrobattisto nabbed a dozen goals and eight assists.

“The seniors were awesome in Lucy White, Bridget Waters, Morgan Mastrobattisto, Hannah Rich, and Nora Hughes. Their impact and daily influence is impossible to describe,” said Leckey. “They were absolutely invaluable to the experience and success of the season. They truly are special young ladies, special athletes, and they left an incredible mark on Hand field hockey.”

The midfield was anchored by Mastrobattisto and Ella Bodner, with Bella Papuga adding consistently in the midfield as well.

The attack unit for the Tigers was made up of White, Waters, Lavin, freshman Peyton Bodner, junior Millie Gobleck, senior Hannah Rich, junior Ellie Flynn, sophomore Katelyn Woytowich, junior Scarlett Marino, and freshman Ella Corsello. Also contributing to the Tigers’ varsity strength were junior Claire Harriman, sophomore Maria Tinjero Clark, sophomore Dillon Staak, sophomore Emma Malec, sophomore Rachel McCartney, sophomore Chloe Wiesbrock, and junior Eva Rose.

In her closing statements, Leckey decried that the foundation is more than present for sustained success and an even higher level of proficiency next fall. The Tigers have the support of each other and the community to win, but more importantly, to act emblematic of what their school is all about.

“Next season will also be awesome. The girls love to play, they really get along fantastic, and they work hard chasing a dream of being the best they can be every game and every season,” Leckey said. “They are Hand Tigers, and it is the Hand tradition to work hard to continue the tradition of pride and success, sportsmanship, team, and school spirit. The coaches feel very fortunate to be a part of something so special. The support for Hand athletics in the community is strong, and the girls know they are supported and valued.”

The 2024 Hand roster was comprised of seniors Waters, Mastrobattisto, White, Rich, Nora Hughes; juniors Flynn, Gobleck, Guerette, Jane Barrett, Rose, Marino, Harriman, Ella Bodner, Rickelman, Lavin, Brynn Poole; sophomores Tinajero Clark, Staak, Isabel Papuga, Wiesbrock, Malec, Woytowich, McCartney, Avery Waters; plus freshmen Corsello, and Peyton Bodner.

2024 Hand Field Hockey Regular Season Results

Sept. 6: Hand 5, Hall 0

Sept. 10: Hand 7, Lyman Hall 1

Sept. 11: Hand 2, Guilford 1 (double overtime)

Sept. 16: Hand 4, Lauralton Hall 0

Sept. 19: Hand 3, Amity 1

Sept. 21: Glastonbury 3, Hand 2

Sept. 24: Hand 4, Hamden 1

Sept. 27: Hand 4, Sheehan 0

Sept. 28: Hand 1, Newtown 0 (overtime)

Oct. 1: Hand 4, Shelton 0

Oct. 7: Hand 5, Mercy 0

Oct. 8: Hand 3, Cheshire 1

Oct. 10: Hand 1, Branford 0

Oct. 15: Hand 3, Sacred Heart Academy 0

Oct. 18: Hand 3, Lauralton Hall 0

Oct. 21: Hand 5, North Haven 0