The Seniors celebrate their Senior Day (Credit/Lia Hempel’23).

Following a disappointing loss in last year’s state-semifinals, the Columbus Academy field hockey team looks sharp to start the season. 

The team began the season 2-0-1, with impressive 7-0 and 9-0 wins against Oakwood and Summit Country Day, respectively. The team’s only tie came in a frustrating match against Upper Arlington on September 2 which went to overtime.

The Vikes faced off against Bexley at home on Thursday, September 9 and fought hard to defend Carlin field, with goals from Avery Mitchell (2), Carolyn Vaziri, Adeti Mohanselvan, Maren Lawrence, Sophia MacDonald, and Tori Raiken, along with solid play in goal from Lydia Wright which led to a 7-0 win for the team.

Last week, the 3-0-1 Vikings played three games at home against Lancaster on Tuesday, September 14, Hawken on Friday, September 17, and St. Ursula on Saturday, September 18.

Against Lancaster, the squad posted a dominant 9-0 victory with goals from Emma Reynolds, Megan Klingerman, and Lawrence as well as hat-tricks by Mohanselvan and Vaziri.

The Vikes continued their hot streak with another shutout victory against Hawken. Annabelle Huyghe, Klingerman (3), Ava Hurst, and Claudia Klingbeil contributed to a 7-0 win.

To cap off a loaded week, Academy faced off against St. Ursula on Senior Day. Mya Falkenhain, Tara Hoffman, Annabelle Hugyhe, Claudia Klingbeil, Sophia MacDonald, Avery Mitchell, Ella Morris, Charlotte Rose, Carolyn Vaziri, and Maya Walter were all honored for their dedication. 

The Vikes continued to defend their home turf with another shutout. Goals from Mitchell, Vaziri, Hugyhe, MacDonald, Klingbeil, Hurst, and Klingerman accompanied the dominant defensive performance and led to a 7-0 victory. The win brought the team’s record to 6-0-1 overall: a solid start to the season.

Academy plays on Monday, September 20 at New Albany – one of the biggest challenges of the season – and on Wednesday, September 22 at Worthington Kilbourne.