After losing eight seniors from last year’s squad to graduation, the Friends Academy field hockey team didn’t know what to expect this fall. But the Quakers had one thing to look forward to: the return of goalie Marina Krichmar, who had missed the previous season with a knee injury.
With Marina back between the posts, the Quakers went undefeated in league play (8-0) and finished 9-3-1 overall.
And her impact was felt far beyond the scoreboard.
“She was our vocal leader,” Friends Academy Coach Taylor Mumley says. “She brought a lot of energy and fun and hype to the team. In the team huddle, she was always the one to get everyone going and create a positive energy.”
The Quakers’ season ended on Oct. 31 with a 7-0 loss to Carle Place in the Nassau County postseason semifinals. Despite the outcome, the team reflected the same qualities that Marina had displayed in overcoming her ACL injury to get back on the field.
“They never gave up the entire game,” Coach Mumley says. “Right up until the last minute they were getting after it and competing. That’s all you can ask for. Our girls played wonderfully in that way.”
The example, no doubt, came from their goalie.
“Marina persevered through her injury and her rehab,” Coach Mumley adds. “Nothing is going to be able to keep her down. Watching her play this season, you would have never known that she had an injury.”
The Quakers will have to find a new goalkeeper next season after Marina, one of three seniors, graduates. But the program continued building a solid foundation this fall.
“It was a really special season,” Coach Mumley says. “We went undefeated in our league, and we held our own against teams that were in a league above us. I’m really proud of our players and how much energy they put into the team every single day. Their attitude was tremendous. It was really such a special group of girls.”
Photos by Island Photography for Friends Academy
Instagram video by Margaret Pegno-Schwartz / Friends Academy