Delmarva Christian field hockey seniors see bright future

Royals are ready to rumble.

The 2024 season marked a turning point for the Delmarva Christian field hockey program, as it welcomed eighth-graders for the first time. In 2025, those freshman, the seniors and those in between are ready to keep the ball rolling.

“What really helped is we did a summer league, so we were able to get used to a little bit of playing before the actual season happened,” said senior Hayley Jones. “We were able to get to do some team bonding, and we've been working really hard this season.”

“We've been doing a Saturday workout and stuff together,” senior Evelyn Bohinski said. “We went to the beach, and I think the team bonding has really helped us get to know each other on the field and off the field.”

This year, so far, only one eighth-grader is on the squad, Carsyn Riddle, and she will handle goalie duties following the graduation of Bella Marinelli. Delmarva Christian will suit up six freshmen on game day to go along with five seniors and four sophomores.

“We've been trying really hard,” senior Alyse Potter said. “I feel like we definitely stepped up our game this year.”

“We're getting the girls to dig deep and push and work through any uncomfortableness that they've had,” coach Laura Balback said. “We're really proud of the effort that they've all given.” 

“We really do put all of our effort in,” senior Libby Dawson said. “We hustle and we've been trying so hard at practice too, so I feel like we've been doing really good.”

Delmarva Christian started finding some scoring success as the season went on last year, and it looks like that will be a focal point again.

“We're playing a lot better,” senior Chloe Wilkerson said. “I think we're working better together as a team, so I'm pretty hopeful for this season.”

Wilkerson, Jones, Bohinksi, Potter and Dawson have seen the team steadily improve during their careers, and they’re optimistic they can help build a new legacy at Delmarva Christian.

“They're building this program up, and I feel like it's going to be something that we can build up more,” Dawson said.

Tome School, the field hockey team’s biggest rival at the moment, will make the trip south to take on the Royals at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5, for Delmarva Christian’s season opener.