With only two days of practice on the brand-new, wet-turf Finnegan Field, field hockey coaches and players didn’t know what to expect for their first conference game on Friday, Oct. 14.

The Mavs scored a decisive 7-0 victory against St. Andrew’s. Junior Isabel Windham scored the first goal on the new turf field. Players said that practicing on the field improved their speed and maneuvering skills.

“The field definitely increased the speed of the game and it made our passes smoother and more accurate,” senior co-captain Sarah VanLoh said. 

In its previous incarnation, Finnegan Field was all-grass and tended to have divots, uneven ground and an overall slower surface. The new turf allows for crisper passes and greater ball control.

“It didn’t necessarily improve our stick skills, it just made it so much more possible to execute them well,” VanLoh said.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony opened the new Finnegan Field before the game, and seniors were honored with a special display of balloons.  Finnegan Field is the only water turf field in the Southwest region and sets the field hockey program apart.

Head Coach Craig Chambers believes the new field can help bring players up to the collegiate level. During Friday’s game, players could execute techniques that were often too difficult on a grass field.

“The field allows our players to do what they are constantly working on and lets everyone in the program progress at a more rapid rate,” Chambers said.

JV Coach Jack Daniel agrees that the field is a game-changer.

“I’m very excited for my team’s game on the field,” Daniel said. “My team is constantly improving, but the turf is going to let them play without the grass slowing them down.”

The Mavs followed up their victory over St. Andrew’s with 6-0 conference win on Oct. 15 against St. Stephen’s.

The next home game will be against Kinkaid on Thursday,  Oct. 27 on Finnegan Field.