East Grand Rapids High School

EGR Varsity Field Hockey vs Grosse Pointe South HS- 9.14.24 The afternoon session for the Lady Pioneers brought them up against a fresh Grosse Pointe South HS. Having only one substitute, playing their second game of the day and trying to muster enough energy to compete in the 85 degree heat proved a challenge. However, EGR played one of their best games of the year with boundless energy and unity as the team truly stood shoulder to shoulder with each other. After a scoreless 1st quarter, EGR goalkeeper, Ellie Hilgendorf ('26), had to take treatment in the 2nd quarter for an ailing back. Morgan Titley ('28) saw action for the second quarter, getting peppered with shots from every angle. She played admirably with a staunch defense beside her. A couple of defensive saves off the goalie's line by Peyton Astrauskas ('27) and Addie Behler ('25) kept it close until late in the half, GPN snuck a shot by Titley. In the second half, Hilgendorf gritted through the challenging pain, and the Lady Pioneers, led by Henny Maher's ('25) steady midfield play along with outstanding efforts in extended appearances by Carly Conway ('27) and Camilla Volovlek ('28), put some pressure on the GPN defense, but the heat and lack of substitute relief led to a tiring team to allow two more goals to slip through in the 3rd quarter and again one more in the 4th quarter. The game became a bit chippy late in the game with some heavy body contact and some verbal exchanges (mainly between the GPN players to each other), which the Lady Pioneers did their best to ignore and play their game. It was a better outing than the morning session, although the final result did not reflect the effort put forth amidst formidable challenges. Onward to face Hudsonville, their last remaining opponent in the first round of OK Conference Field Hockey play on Tuesday, September 17 at 7 PM. Come to Mehney Field at the EGR Middle School to cheer the Lady Pioneers on to victory as they seek to regain their form from the past two weeks and solidify their grip on 1st place in the OK Conference Field Hockey standings.