CITIZEN KANE: Hun School field hockey player Alex Kane pushes the ball up the field in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, junior defender Kane scored a goal and played well on the back line as Hun topped Pennington 4-1. The Raiders, now 3-1, host Stuart Country Day on October 3 and Blair Academy on October 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

When the Hun School field hockey team started the season with a 1-0 loss to WW/P-S, it looked like its defense was ahead of the offense.

But the Raider attack seems to have found a rhythm as Hun has bounced back with three straight wins, outscoring its foes 9-1 in that stretch.

Last Friday, the Raiders were clicking on all cylinders as they topped Pennington 4-1.

“We did take a step forward, we moved the ball well,” said Hun head coach Kathy Quirk, reflecting on the win over Pennington that moved the Raiders to 3-1. “We did a good job in the circle defensively, we limited their short corners.”

Quirk likes the good work she is seeing on the offensive end. “We have a nice transition between the defense and the offense,” said Quirk, who got goals from Francesca Bello, Courtney Faulkner, Alex Kane, and Carey Million in the Pennington game. “The midfielders are moving into the circle and getting opportunities.”

The Hun midfield is being sparked by the trio of Olivia Albanese, Julia Blake, and Taylor Havard.

“Olivia Albanese is doing a nice job for us in the midfield,” said Quirk of the senior, who also chipped in an assist last Friday.

“She is the inserter on our short corners. Julia Blake and Taylor Havard are also doing well for us in the midfield.”

Along the forward line, the one-two punch of junior Bello and senior Million is benefitting from the good transition play.

“Bello and Million are doing a good job on the line; they are able to move the ball well and capitalize on opportunities,” asserted Quirk.

“The other girls, Courtney Faulkner, Vicky Leach, Bri Cifelli, and Juliet Kapanjie, are coming in and going to the post well.”

Junior Alex Kane has been coming up big defensively for the Raiders. “Kane is really strong for us on defense,” said Quirk, noting that Liz Mydlowski stepped up at back against Pennington.

“She moves the ball side-to-side and can break up plays. She scored on a penalty stroke against Pennington; it was a good hit.”

Quirk is encouraged by her team’s good start. “I am pleased with how we are playing,” said Quirk, whose team hosts Stuart Country Day on October 3 and Blair Academy on October 6.

“We have some tough games coming up; I hope the girls keep showing the same hunger and intensity.”