There was big news on the U7 pitch this week with the addition of uprights to the A field goals. The older U7s, who are gearing up for the last half of the season, are beginning to get the ball to their hands and hit for points. Always thinking of others, Alia Witt reminded the coaches to warn the spectators to have their heads up as sliotars could be flying through the posts. While some are still timid about going for a jab lift, Melissa Heck didn’t waste a moment before scooping the ball into her hand and attempting a hit as soon as the midfielders had taken the throw in. Abrianna Chojnacki started out ground hurling every ball she saw, but as her confidence grew throughout the game, she began to attempt the ever-difficult on-the-run jab lift. She took every opportunity she could to try to hit the ball in the air.
Christian Griffin has been boxing out all season for a chance to win the ball to his hand and finally had the opportunity to pick it up and smash it all the way down the field. Late in the second quarter, Alia Witt had a ground hurl from deep in the defensive zone that resulted in an opportunity for a goal for her team. She digs in hard to hit long balls, never gives up in a scrum, and leads by example on and off the field. Bethany Fortier had the game of her career and was working so hard that she had to call her own little water break after proclaiming, “Coach, I’m a little warm!” Bethany’s strong swing and quick feet had her outsmarting the competition as she dashed across the field. She’s one in a long line of “No-Fear” Fortiers. It takes guts to go from all ground hurling to suddenly picking up the sliotar and hitting in the air, but the U7s are never short on courage.
On the B field, Connor Benishek took a strong side ground strike that went airborne into the goal from about ten yards out. Coach Brian proclaimed, “What an impressive shot!” Later in the game, Oliver Blackwell, who had been marking Connor, also had an airborne ground strike that travelled the entire length of the B field. These little hurlers are beginning to get under the ball and swing without pause.
The C group played an exciting game of “monster tag” to become an array of monsters and zombies. Grayson Dombroski continues to gain confidence and was having fun creating an army of monsters during the game of tag. As one of the younger players in the group, he’s become quite the little competitor.
The U7s always have loads of fun, and isn’t that what hurling’s all about?!