(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski) caption: CARING HANDS: Hun School field hockey goalie Kara Kettelkamp tracks a shot in recent action. The play of senior Kettelkamp in the cage has helped Hun produce a late surge as it has gone 5-2-1 after getting off to a 1-3 start. The 10th-seeded raiders were scheduled to play at No. 2 Princeton Day School on October 26 in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals with the winner advancing to the semis two days later. The Raiders are also competing in the state Prep A tourney where they are seeded third and play at second-seeded Lawrenceville on November 3 in the semis.

Living Up to Tradition of Strong Finishes, Hun Field Hockey Producing Late Surge

Bill Alden

They milled quietly around the bench and consoled each other as they packed their sticks for the quick trip across town.

While the players on the Hun School field hockey team were down in the dumps after losing 2-1 in overtime at crosstown rival Princeton Day School last Wednesday, Raider head coach Kathy Quirk managed to smile.

“Even though you tell them they played a good game, they don’t think they did because of the outcome,” said Quirk, after holding a post-game huddle with her valiant squad. “I still think we played well; I was very proud of them.”

The Raiders jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Carey Million and they put the clamps on the high-powered PDS attack and senior star Sydney Jenkins as they held the Panthers scoreless for the first 54;15 of the contest.

Jenkins, though, did set up a goal by freshman Emma Quigley with 54:15 left in regulation and the game headed into overtime as neither party could find the back of the cage down the stretch of the second half.

Early in the extra session, Hun nearly scored on a rush by Katya Huxel but Jenkins ended the game with a blast that banged off the back of the cage.

Quirk praised her team’s defensive effort which was spearheaded by senior star Nicolette Natale.

“They didn’t have many shots on goals but the last one was a rocket,” said Quirk.

“I thought we contained Jenkins well; we shut her down in the circle. Nicolette played well. We have been working to not give up so many short corners and I think we only had one or two on us today. We are getting better each game.”

Quirk’s confidence in her squad proved justified last Friday as the 10th-seeded Raiders went on the road and edged No. 7 Hightstown 1-0 in the opening round of the Mercer County Tournament.

The win improved Hun to 6-6-1 as they have gone 5-2-1 after stumbling to a 1-3 start, living up to the program’s recent penchant for strong finishes.

“We started out slow as usual and I think we have been working hard on trying to put the ball in the cage,” said Quirk.

“It should have been in the cage more than once today. We had far more opportunities than they did; we just couldn’t capitalize.”

The play of sophomore forward Carey Million and senior goalie Kara Kettelkamp has given Hun the opportunity to turn the corner.

“Carey is a nice post player; she is quick on the field and she sees the field,” said Quirk.

“Kara is consistent; we wouldn’t be where we are without her. She hangs tough; she is doing what I ask of her.”

In Quirk’s view, her improving team will be a tough out in both the MCT and the upcoming state Prep A playoffs.

“We can be dangerous,” said Quirk, whose team was slated to get a rematch with No. 2 PDS on October 26 in the MCT quarters with the winner advancing to the semis two days later.

“We struggled with team dynamics earlier, passing here and passing there. I think we are finally working together as a team. I think we still have a ways to go. We are working hard at trying to see the whole field.”

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