West Bloomfield opened the 2026 fall field hockey season with a performance that showed exactly how far this group has come...disciplined, energetic, and confident. The Lakers set the tone early and closed out the match with maturity, earning a 3–1 win over Grosse Pointe North to begin the season on the right foot. First Quarter Captain Strikes First: The Lakers earned a short corner early in the first quarter, and the moment belonged to the captain. With calm execution and sharp timing, she buried the first goal of the season, giving West Bloomfield a 1–0 lead and igniting the team’s momentum. Captain’s Goal- Clean insert, controlled stop, and a composed finish. Shortly after, the co‑captain created another scoring opportunity from close range. She found space inside the circle and pushed the ball past the keeper but the referee denied the goal and awarded a free hit instead. Denied Goal- A tough call, but the team stayed composed and focused. Second Half: Becca Takes Over West Bloomfield came out of halftime with renewed energy, and Becca delivered. She scored twice one off a quick transition, another from a well‑timed press giving the Lakers full control of the match. Grosse Pointe North managed to score once late in the game, but the Lakers held strong and closed out the match with a 3–1 victory. Overall Game Impression- This was the kind of game that shows growth. The team played with confidence, moved the ball well, and demonstrated the progress they’ve made over the past year. The win was exciting to watch not just because of the score, but because of the maturity, teamwork, and energy behind it. West Bloomfield is growing. The athletes are developing individually and collectively, but there’s still work to be done. Continued focus on fundamentals, communication, and game awareness will push the program forward. At the same time, it’s important for athletes to embrace field hockey as a social, engaging, and fun activity the more they enjoy the sport, the more they’ll invest in it. Coach’s Comments: “Proud of everyone, whether seniors or juniors, everyone did their best. I’m looking forward to seeing more improvement.” Coach Z