The fall sports season had a very successful conclusion in the past week with a number of teams making it into the playoff rounds.
The Girls’ Varsity Soccer team competed in the tournament and put up a strong fight against The Governor’s School, concluding their season as a top team in New England.
The Girls’ Varsity Cross Country team had the best season in the history of the program. The team completed the regular season with a record of 33-2 and placed second out of 15 teams in the Division 2 New England Championship Meet at The Williston Northampton School.
Four Tabor runners placed in the top 20 and qualified as New England All-Stars, allowing them to compete in a race this past Saturday with the top runners from other divisions.
Head Coach Kelley McSweeny reports that 12 girls ran their career best times in the final race and called it “an incredible finish to an incredible season.”
McSweeny attributes much of the team’s success to their ability to “pack run,” meaning that a number of top runners race at the same pace, which is key for scoring at the top.
Five varsity runners will graduate in the spring, so the team will work to rebuild the program in the coming season; however, a significant number of team members will return in the fall.
The Girls’ Cross Country team has grown immensely over the past few years, becoming one of the top teams in the division. The team placed fourth in both 2012 and 2013 and has continued to improve this season with their best record and best New England finish in the history of the Girls’ Tabor Cross Country Program.
The Varsity Field Hockey Team also had a remarkable season, making it to the Class A semifinal game. According to Coach Kelly Walker, the last time the team made it this far was in 1997.
“We have been quarterfinalists in the tournament in the fall of 1999 and in the fall of 2009,” said Walker.
Additionally, in the quarterfinals, the team beat Greenwich Academy 3-1 for the first time ever. Thus, this was a historically impressive season for the team.
Led by Captain Caroline Shaunessy and Assistant Captains Sammy Davis and Sara Kosicki, the team had a record of 12-3-1. Nine different players scored multiple goals throughout the season.
The top scorers were Woodard Hooper (’16), Sammy Davis (’15), and Caroline Shaunessy (’15). The defensive team has also been strong with seniors Sara Kosicki, Olivia Palombo, Jenna Weyant, and Sarah Noyes contributing to the team’s success, while senior Amanda Dionne, the team’s goalie, has achieved eight shut outs.
A number of influential and talented seniors will graduate this spring.
“Our seniors have been terrific leaders of this team and understand teamwork,” said Walker. “Most importantly, this team is about team. They work incredibly hard and support each other on and off the field.”
Congratulations to all of the fall sports teams on successful conclusions to the season.
Winter sports have begun and Wednesdays and Saturdays will be filled with competitions in the weeks to come. The public is welcome to all competitions at the Fish Center. Check www.taboracademy.org for team schedules.
By Julia O’Rourke
