The "The Keeper Of The Goal" Story

Nice day for a field hockey game at Urbana High School in Maryland

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in the stands at Urbana High School watching the warm-ups before the Junior Varsity field hockey game.   My granddaughter Camille defends the goal for the field hockey team.  Field hockey isn't anything new to our family, since our daughter, Brynn, began her career much the same as Camille.  

Brynn making a save for Manheim Township.

Brynn began playing field hockey in 7th grade.  As an 8th grader she was the "Sweeper" until one day in pre-season practice the coach said they needed a goalie so she volunteered to be the goalie since no one else wanted to do the job; ditto for Camille.  Brynn's freshman team ended the year 11-0-2.  As a senior three years later she registered nine shutouts an led the team to a record of 11-4-1 and the school's first ever post-season appearance in the District Playoffs.  

Camille ready for battle.  Notice how many
more pads they wear today as compared to
the above photo of my daughter.

Camille has some big shoes to fill in the family, but she is very athletic and will do her best to try and top her mom.  The game began and from the start it was obvious that Camille was going to be bored today.  After the first half the score was 2-0 with Urbana in the lead.  The opposition, Middletown High School, only crossed the mid-field line half a dozen times, if that.  The only movement Camille made was to run to the sidelines when timeout was called.  The second half wasn't much different with Middletown crossing midfield a few more times, but with a few shots taken that were no where near the goal mouth while Urbana posted one more goal.  Final score: Urbana 3, Middletown O.  

Camille taking practice shots before the game.

Camille had registered her 5th straight shutout with the same amount of wins.  She was only challenged in one of those wins when she had to make three saves.  She enjoys the challenge of being the last line of defense for her team.  It can't get past her or her team may lose.  Being that this is her first taste of field hockey, she has done a remarkable job as the keeper of the goal.  She will have three more years to hone her skills, but as of now, she can't get much better that never allowing a goal.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

PS: Since I wrote this story her team has had another hockey game and has battled to a scoreless tie.  She once again saved the team with a save.  She has never allowed a goal in her Freshman year of field hockey.  Even her mom can't lay claim to that!

My other granddaughter,  Courtney, is the manager and keeps the scorebook during the game.  She is the second from the left in the press box.

Camille congratulates the other team after the game.

The lonely life of a hockey goalie on a good team.

The team logo for Urbana High School.

Camille and her coach before the game.