RYE – Field Hockey New York

Rye brought their 2009/2010 indoor season to a close at the National Invitational Tournament in PA last weekend. The inaugural event played in a magnificent purpose built indoor facility provided a fantastic weekend.

Rye started well, winning all 3 games on Day 1 to secure a final berth regardless of the result in their final group game on Sunday morning. New York Islanders went down 7-4 in the opening game, a North East representative U19 team were dispatched 6-3 in game 2 and in the final game of the day, the USA womens team were comfortably dealt with by a margin of 9-2. Rye managed to build on their momentum from previous tournaments dominating possession in all of their games. Jones and Cherifi were solid at the back, Stutz, Van Nunen and Scherf caused plenty of problems for opposing defenders and with Cheetham and Stutz converting a high percentage of penalty corners rye were set up well for the Sunday’s games.

After a wild Saturday night at the local ‘Red Robin’, Rye arrived on Sunday expecting a couple of tough games with the 76ers (a team consisting of a number of current and former USA indoor international players). They were not disappointed. In the final group game Rye defended solidly and put together some fine passages of play to run out 3-1 winners. It was a tight game with both ‘keepers seeing plenty of action. Rye went into the final, a rematch against the 76ers who has also won all of their Saturday games, with plenty of confidence. It was another closely fought game with Rye having to work very hard to contain Steve Danielson. Eventually, the 76ers crept home with a narrow 5-4 victory. Rye will look back ruefully on a couple of chances that came back off the post and a missed penalty stroke that could have changed the outcome.

Rye FHC: Wagner, Cheetham, Stutz, Jones, Van Nunen, Scherf, Geertz, Cherifi.