This past year, Harriton sports have been shining in the Central League. One of the standout programs has been the field hockey team, who put together a true breakout season. They’ve become a serious challenge for opponents and here is the perspective of one of the captains, Bliss Odiorne!
- What does being captain mean to you, and how has the role changed your perspective on the sport?
Being a captain has taught me that it is so much more than just wearing a title. It is about taking the responsibility to lead by example and support my teammates on and off the field.
- How do you handle it when a teammate is struggling—either skill-wise or confidence-wise?
When a teammate is struggling, I try to support them however I can. Whether that is practicing together or giving constructive feedback, I always try to focus on celebrating the small improvements and remind them of what they do well so they don’t get discouraged.
- How do you help keep the team focused during high-pressure games?
During high-pressure games, I try to stay calm, and more importantly, positive, because any player’s energy can affect the team. I remind my teammates that we’re still in the game no matter the score and encourage them to stay focused and to continue to give it our all.
- 4. What is something about your team’s culture that makes it special?
This year, what made the team’s culture so special was the incredibly strong connection we all shared. Whether it was on or off the field, we all trusted and supported each other, and that teamwork allowed us to overcome many challenges and achieve more than we could individually.
- Your team is having a great season. What do you think has made the biggest difference compared to previous years?
I think the biggest difference between this season and previous ones was our team’s chemistry, and unity. The strong friendship on the team made it easier to work well on and off the field, which helped us constantly improve and perform at even higher levels than previous years.
- Is there a moment or game you feel really defined your team this season?
Fortunately, there were many games that truly showcased our team’s strengths, but one of my personal favorites was our second district playoff game against the number-one seed, Springfield Delco, who had beaten us 2-1 during the regular season. All around, the game was very challenging and even chaotic at times. At one point during that game, we were down three players at the same time due to questionable penalty cards. Despite that, our whole team stood strong, stayed focused, and beat Springfield 2-1!
- What goals did you set at the beginning of the season, and which ones are you most proud of reaching?
One goal we had set collectively as a team was to come to every game with high, positive energy, so we could all play at our best, no matter the outcome. Having that high energy and attitude allowed us to create a difference, especially in the tough moments. I am really proud of how consistent we were with that goal. We were able to maintain it through the good and the bad, and that’s what ultimately made our team better and stronger.
- What’s your favorite moment with this team so far?
My all-time favorite memory with this team has to be our little pre-game tradition of singing and dancing to the song “How You Get the Girl” by Taylor Swift before every game. This tradition started with my teammate Sage Bowman and me. Back in our sophomore year, we would always randomly sing that song at practice or even during games. By our senior year, that song had slipped its way onto the pre-game playlist we created together and it quickly became a team favorite. No matter where we were or who we were about to play, that song always had everyone smiling and singing along. It was a great way to shake off the nerves and boost our energy right before the game.