As we approach the final week of the regular season, these field hockey teams are peaking at the perfect time and have established themselves as among the best in the area.
No. 1: Villa Duchesne (19-1)
The Saints defeated St. Joseph’s 2-1 in their annual spirit game when Bea Butler scored the game-winning goal in the final seconds. The win produced Villa’s 17th consecutive victory to begin the season, including wins over John Burroughs, MICDS and Ladue. A 3-1 loss at Louisville Assumption on Oct. 7 produced the only blemish on the record thus far. Hannah Ponciroli leads the way with 20 goals and 22 assists.
No. 2: John Burroughs (13-2)
The Bombers earned a 2-1 win over MICDS on a fourth quarter goal by Lila Merlin, then defeated St. Joseph’s 4-3 with an overtime game-winner by Finley Rose McGowan. John Burroughs has played nine games decided by two goals or fewer, including recent 2-0 victories over Ladue and Lafayette and a win over Visitation. The only losses have come to Villa Duchesne (2-0) and Louisville Assumption (3-2).
No. 3: MICDS (12-3-1)
The Rams went undefeated during a recent trip to Louisville, including a 2-0 victory over Assumption in which Mary Molamphy made 14 saves in a shutout effort. In a battle of Rams on Oct. 6, Victoria Noble scored four goals in a 4-0 victory over No. 5 Ladue. Noble, who leads the area with 27 goals, has nine multi-goal games and four hat tricks.
No. 4: St. Joseph’s (11-4-1)
After seven consecutive shutout victories, St. Joseph’s lost one-goal heartbreakers to Villa Duchesne on Oct. 3 and John Burroughs on Oct. 8. All four Angels’ losses have been by a one-goal margin. Mary Malloy has eight shutouts and a miniscule 0.58 GAA. Mia Ryan leads St. Joseph’s with 12 goals and 14 assists.
No. 5: Ladue (12-5)
The Rams only losses have come to the area’s top four teams and Lake Forest, a third-place finisher in the state of Illinois last season. Led by goalie Mimi Tabscott and defender Melia Saffold, Ladue has accrued nine wins by shutout. The offense is sparked by Annie Tilghman’s 15 goals and four game-winners.
No. 6: Lafayette (14-6-1)
With dynamic scorer Emily Williams out for the first 10 games due to injury, the Lancers solidified their defense and only once have yielded more than three goals in a game. Faustina Sala scored the overtime game-winner in a 1-0 victory over No. 7 Westminster and Norah Martin scored twice in the fourth quarter in a 2-1, come from behind victory over Nerinx Hall. Martin and Williams lead the Lancers with 29 points.
No. 7: Westminster (11-5-1)
The Wildcats are in the midst of a six-game winning streak, including the 100th victory in program history Oct. 5 against Eureka. Genevieve Der Maat scored twice in an impressive 4-0 victory over No. 9 Kirkwood. Goalie Emerson Porter ranks second the area with 149 saves. Caroline Campbell leads the offense with 16 goals and six game-winners.
No. 8: Visitation (9-6-1)
The Vivettes won four consecutive games last week, including victories over Pembroke Hill and St. Teresa’s during a trip to Kansas City. Lauren Jane Masson leads the area with a whopping 225 saves, including 33 against MICDS and 39 against St. Joseph’s. Hayden Duffy has 14 goals and four game-winners.
No. 9: Kirkwood (10-5-1)
The Pioneers are 4-0 in games decided by one goal, including a recent 1-0 victory over Lindbergh. The dynamic duo of Hadley Krewet and Avery Musselmann have combined for 25 goals and seven game-winners. Shutdown defender Bella Mosley has contributed seven goals and six assists.
No. 10: Marquette (14-5)
The Mustangs are amid a 10-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 39-4. Sydney Rosen has 16 goals, 12 assists, and her seven game-winning goals are tied for 1st in the area. Marquette is 5-1 in games decided by one goal, including two victories over Summit and a 2-1 overtime win at Edwardsville, where Norah Lindahl netted the game-winner.