SPark U12 Girls Capture Gold At NIT

The SPark Field Hockey U12 Blue team had a successful weekend at USA Field Hockey’s National Indoor Tournament over the weekend of February 22-24, going 4-1 overall and winning the gold on February 24 at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex outside of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The U12 age group had 84 teams from up and down the East Coast and as far west as Chicago and Texas. Each team was assigned to a pool of six teams and played each team in their pool for a total of five games; two Friday, two Saturday and a final game on Sunday. The number of teams, fans and venue all combine for an electric atmosphere, and the SPark U12 Blue team came ready to make the most of the weekend.

After starting the weekend with a win and a close loss on Friday night, the team rallied for two wins on Saturday to set up a shot at gold on Sunday.

The girls were focused and aggressive from the start on Sunday, earning a 5-0 win to close the weekend 4-1, having surrendered just two goals in five games.

The team of Olivia Boyle, Clare Donovan, Cali Eckenrode, Grace Frankl, Madeline Lancione, Grace Moran, Grace Morris, Hannah Pope, Kelsey Rowe, Emma Weber and Ryleigh Osborne all shared in SPark’s winning weekend, said head coach Meredith Weber.

“Of all the teams at this weekend’s NIT, I don’t think any club had more fun than ours, whether it was cheering on other teams or dancing between halves,” said Weber. “Success at NITs was the team’s goal from the very first practice in late November. They worked hard each and every time out on the court and showed dramatic improvement as the season wore on. I was most proud of the fact that every girl on the team contributed to our weekend success – whether it was unrelenting pressure on our opponents, timely goals or stout defense – it was a total team effort.”

Weber coaches the U12 Blue team and is assisted by SPark club coaches Jesse Larson, Jonathan Roberts and Ashley Dalisera.