SECTION IV FIELD HOCKEY: NUMBERS IMPROVED, TIOGA AGAIN LACKS EXPERIENCE HEADING INTO 2021 (2021-03-20)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportTIOGA CENTER "” The good news for Tioga field hockey coach Jodi Riggs is that her program's numbers are up. The not-so-good news is about half of her players have never played field hockey.
"We have 15 out this year. I'm pleased, but half of the team has never played hockey," she said
"I think I said the same thing last year, but we are very much a rookie team again this year," Riggs added.
Like many, Riggs didn't think the fall sports season would ever materialize in 2020-21.
"I really didn't think this was going to happen," she said. "Then, I had a month to prep ... all of a sudden I had two weeks and I only had eight kids on the roster.
"We started recruiting, and somehow we ended up with 15," laughed Riggs.
The lack of experience is definitely a concern for Riggs, but she notes this season is a little different than others.
"We had a meeting and everyone was on the same page ... throughout Section IV, the emphasis is going to be on fun this year," she said. "So, I might be throwing everyone around everywhere this year, except for goalie.
"I told the girls, "˜let's just have fun, and try new things. We're not a turf school, we're playing on turf - let's have fun,'" added Riggs.
With the lack of a normal preseason, another concern is conditioning.
"The girls hearts are in it, and they're passionate, but who has worked out? Nobody is in shape," said Riggs. "Thank goodness, we're playing four quarters of 15 minutes, instead of two halves."
The team's leading scorer in each of the last three years, Olivia Ayres, who is also the team captain, will lead the offense.
Shelby Retorto, Julia Walsh and Emily Sindoni are also returning for the Lady Tigers.
Dakota Forsyth, who missed last year with an injury, will start on defense, and SVEC transfer Abby Johnson will also start on defense.
Senior newcomer Aubrey NIchols will get the nod at keeper.
"We put the goalie pads on her a few days before the first game for the first time," said Riggs. "She is not timid. I think she will hold her own."
Chloe Gillette, a transfer from Owego, Bobbi Jo Tarbox, and Mackenzie Luther are also in line for starting spots, while Kaleigh Ammerman, Natalie Gunther, Deanna Relyea, Allie Creller. and Brenda Guiles will each vie for playing time.
Tioga, 0-1 on the season, takes on SVEC this afternoon on the turf at Owego High School.
