Gateway Field Hockey Classic

By Harrow Field HockeySeptember 04, 2012

GATEWAY FIELD HOCKEY CLASSIC

Labor Day Weekend proved to be a rainy weekend full of exciting Field Hockey in Saint Louis, Missouri at the Gateway Field Hockey Classic Tournament. Over 48 High School teams from across the Midwest came to play in the 15th annual Gateway Classic Tournament, which is the largest High School Tournament in the country! This was the first year that Harrow sponsored the tournament, so we were excited to be able to get to the Midwest and see all the great Hockey being played!!

There were lots of teams to watch, but one thing is for sure, Field Hockey in the Midwest is NOT to be underestimated! Here are some of the teams that made our “TEAMS TO LOOK OUT FOR” list for the upcoming fall.

POOL A
New Trier (Chicago, IL) : New Trier is always a strong team, and this year is no different. After coming off winning the state championship for Illinois last season, New Trier one of the top teams in the Midwest and will have a target on its back for this upcoming season. This weekend they were placed in the top pool along with St. Louis’ Nerinx Hall and Villa Duchesne, and Louisville’s duPont Manual High School, and did not disappoint. It came down to Villa and New Trier battling for the top spot, and after a very competitive game; New Trier came out on top winning Pool A. Both team had their chances, but New Trier’s offense broke down the Villa Saint’s defense and finished up on top. It was a great game to watch with great play from both teams.

Villa Duchense ( Saint Louis, MO): Second by a hair, the Villa Saints were looking extremely tough this weekend. The girls were working well together and are a very cohesive team. As always, they will be a tough team to beat this fall in Saint Louis. Even though the lost to New Trier, based on the point system of the tournament they almost took the top spots based on their shutouts. The saying “defense championships, may prove to be true for the Saints this season.

POOL B
It turned out to be a battle of the Saint Louis teams in this pool. Lafayette (Saint Louis, MO) Coached by Kate O’Connell, the NFHCA National High School Coach of the Year, the defending Midwest Champions looked strong this weekend at the Classic. Senior Kate Barber, who is committed to play at Indiana University next year and was last year’s player of the year for Saint Louis, stood out against all of the Lancer’s opponents. Lafayette won their pool and will be a team to look out for this season in St. Louis.

John Burroughs: The Bombers are always a strong team, and this year will be no different. The team has a small squad by comparison, but is showing strength in their younger players. Two of the youngest, Condie and Carlson, are both starting as freshman and excelling in their new positions on the team. Burroughs is going to be a tough team to beat as the season continues. The combination of the new freshman and strong upperclassmen will prove to be a great strength for this team, that will only strengthen as the season continues.

POOL C
Lake Forrest: (Chicago, IL) Lake Forrest always has a competitive team and this weekend was no different. Battling against Dallas’ Hokaday and Saint Louis’ Marquette and Cor Jesu Academy.

Pool D Champion’s MICDS RAMS Coached by Lynn Mittler and Margot George

Pool J Champions: DEERFIELD

POOL D

MICDS (Saint Louis, MO) took the D Pool’s Championship with a win over another Saint Louis team, St. Joseph Academy. Coached by Lynn Mittler and Margot George, the Rams were an offensive force that proved to be hard to score on. Each team had their chances, but MICDS was able to hold off St. Joe ensuring the victory and pool championship for the Rams.