Lincoln Academy’s varsity field hockey season has been cancelled due to low numbers. The Lady Eagles had to have 15 girls on the roster last Friday in order to field a team in the KVAC. MPA rules call for athletes to have five practice days before players are eligible to play in a game. Lincoln Academy will not be able to field a varsity team for two years according to MPA rules.
“It has been a stressful couple of weeks. It is all stemming back to not having a middle school team a few years ago. I got that program going again. The wave is coming, but I guess too late,” coach Cheryl Crummett said. There are seven eighth graders coming from GSB School for the 2011 season.
Athletic director KJ Anastasio “is trying to find teams for us to play.” Crummett said we are still having a field hockey program, but will play a JV schedule. “I don’t know who will want to play us when we don’t have 11 players,” Crummett commented.
For now, the Eagle hockey program will limp along. “Hopefully we will have a varsity team in two years. “I’m stressed. I’ve done everything in my power” to keep the program going. “I’m at a loss,” Crummett added.
Two players started playing this week, which gives Crummett hope they can field a full JV team. Crummett is in hopes more girls will come out to play once school starts this week.
If every player shows up, they have 11, but three girls are academically ineligible. “I have six or seven who are 100 percent dedicated. If I could only clone them,” Crummett added.
“We haven’t had a scrimmage. We don’t have enough girls to play against each other. It’s been two boring weeks of practice. It’s tough with two weeks of practice without any fun,” Crummett said.
Lincoln Academy has not had a winning season since 1996 under coach Darcy Emerson. The Lady Eagles have had six coaches in the past 14 years.
“We’re committed to making the program work and to being successful in the future,” athletic director KJ Anastasio said.