Heading into the playoffs, the varsity field hockey team remained confident despite a tough loss to East Grand Rapids on Tuesday, October 12. With the team’s new identity, they felt they were primed for a postseason run. 

“After the East game, I felt as if our team was poised for a run,” head coach Gabriella Coty said. “We communicated better and the ball movement was on point, and I felt those two improvements would help us in the playoffs.”

The girls were matched up with Ann Arbor Huron, a prominent program that gave Forest Hills trouble in previous years. Although the girls were scheduled to play in earlier August, the game was postponed and never rescheduled. To start the game, the team played strongly; however, Ann Arbor Huron had an excellent opportunity to score. The River Rats finessed through the Forest Hills defense, scoring the first goal of the game. Communication for Forest Hills throughout the game was spotty. When it was on point, the defense was lockdown and forced many turnovers. 

Sophomore goalie Alayna Gschwind was active all game. She had six saves and was all over the cage. Seniors Erin Murphy and Brooke Toigo were dominant on defense, smothering the River Rats’ offensive attack. In the fourth quarter, junior Shannon Murphy found Logan Kirkwood for a fast-break goal opportunity. Logan capitalized on the opportunity and gave Forest Hills a boost of energy to push through the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for Forest Hills, the goal was not enough to defeat the River Rats. Forest Hills would lose in a brawl 2-1. 

After that playoff loss, Forest Hills ends the year with a 4-9-1 record. The team battled throughout the game but came up just short.