ST. LOUIS, MO. The Varsity Field Hockey team traveled southwest for the 22nd Annual Gateway Classic. Going into the weekend with a record of 5-0-2, the girls were ready to play against the top competition in the country. The Scouts were placed in Pool A alongside the state champions of Missouri, Texas, and Kentucky (runner-up) to test their skills. Led by Coach Cat, the girls kicked off the action against Villa, Missouri after a long 6 hour drive.

In their opening game, both the Scouts and Villa Duchesne started slow and struggled to convert on scoring opportunities. After a Lake Forest defensive breakdown, the Scouts trailed for the first time this fall. But, this year’s group is different, featuring 9 of 11 starters from last year’s championship squad. Going into nearly every game with an edge up in experience, the girls remained poised and focused in this situation. Senior Allison Quackenbush got the Scouts going by scoring back-to-back goals; including a tip-in rebound after a Logan Hanekamp shot. The girls extended the lead to 4-1 in the 2nd half and secured the win 4-3.

GOALS: Allison Quackenbush (2), Gracie McGowan (1), Maggie Mick (1)

ASSISTS: Assists:Julia Hender (2), Sarah Considine (1), Logan Hanekamp (1)

SAVES: Heidi Richardson (1), Elsa Goldsberry (1)

Arguably the biggest game of the tournament came against Assumption, a gritty team from Kentucky that slid past the Scouts 3-1 just a year ago. Using their momentum from the last game, the girls stuck to their game plan and executed right away. Two quick goals by Madden Plante and Gracie McGowan put the Scouts ahead at halftime. Nonetheless, the Kentucky gals were not backing down. Top ranked Wake Forest commit Lee Ann Gordon was able to rally her team back into the game. Unfortunately, the Scouts gave up two second half goals, ending in a 2-2 draw.

GOALS: Madden Plante (1), Gracie McGowan (1)

ASSISTS: Julia Hender (1)

For their final game in Pool A, the girls field hockey team took on the reigning champs of Texas, the Kinkaid School. Angry from friday’s tie, the Scouts converted early and went into halftime with a 2-0 lead, scoring two monster goals on Stanford commit Annabel Skubisz. Kinkaid made it interesting with a goal that barely slipped by sophomore goalie Elsa Goldsberry. But, the Scouts bit back with yet another goal by junior Gracie McGowan, securing a hat trick herself, and the W for Lake Forest 3-1.

GOALS: Gracie McGowan (3)

ASSISTS: Sarah Considine (1)

I caught up with Senior Villanova commit Maggie Mick regarding the tournament:

“The Gateway Classic helps the team on the field by providing us with strong competition from teams that are unfamiliar to us. This helps us to work on our adaptability as a team and forces us to rise to the challenge, especially since the teams we play are also state champions. Off the field, the tournament allows us to bond as a team. The Gateway Classic is early in the season and with a 6 hour bus ride we have time to play games and get to know each other more. The whole weekend allows us to grow closer and become a family,” she said.

The Scouts finished 2nd in their pool to Assumption due to a tiebreak, but had a successful tournament as a team. They ended the Gateway Classic 2-0-1 and improved to 7-0-3 on the season. Make sure to mark your calendars for the LF vs New Trier Field Hockey game next Wednesday at New Trier High School.