After an enthusiastic pep rally in the Montrose A&A, consisting of running through banners and watching Red and White team leaders (Leslie Baker ‘24 and Cate Lynch ‘24 for the White team, and Kenzie Cassler ‘24 and Shannon Mahoney ‘24 for the Red team), along with faculty members Mrs. (Monica) Baker, Ms. O’Malley, Ms. (Mary Jo) White, and Mrs. Roberts, play a real-life game of the classic childhood game: Hungry Hungry Hippos, it was time for the varsity athletic games to begin. Varsity volleyball was playing against Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall, while cross country was racing against both Ursuline Academy and Dana Hall, and both varsity soccer and varsity field hockey were playing against Lexington Christian Academy. Before the athletes could take the field, however, we all had a VERY chaotic quick-change, consisting of a very crowded A&A. After that, it was all business and time to put on a show in front of our fellow Montrose students, faculty, and families.
As a senior and the starting field hockey goalie, I can say that I was genuinely nervous playing in my final Homecoming game more than I would be for any other game. Coming off a large loss in the prior Homecoming, we all came back this year with a vengeance, wanting to win more than ever. Homecoming was also on my mom’s fiftieth birthday, and with her in attendance at the game, I really, really wanted to win.
After arriving at McCarthy Field, where our game was being held, everyone’s nerves began to grow. Lexington Christian Academy is a very talented team, and which team would be the winners was up in the air. For field hockey, we play four fifteen-minute-long quarters with a two-minute break after the first and third quarters and a five-minute break after the second.
The first quarter wasn’t too climactic. LCA took one shot on us in the first five minutes, but thankfully, it didn’t go into the net. Most of the quarter took place in the middle of the field with both teams putting up an even fight. The second half, for the most part, was the same. However, with less than a minute in the half left, Josie Marcucci ‘25 tipped the ball into the net, scoring the first and only goal of the game. For the rest of the game, Montrose was able to hold LCA off, winning our Homecoming game in a tight 1-0 win. Field hockey senior captain and Babson College lacrosse commit Kenzie Cassler ‘24 spoke very highly of the game, saying: “I have always loved the Homecoming game because it is the season’s biggest game, and everyone on the team is so excited to represent Montrose.”
While field hockey was battling it out with LCA, varsity and JV cross-country were battling it out with both Dana Hall and Ursuline Academy. They got to have their first home meet of the season running at McCarthy Field while encircling the field hockey game. The varsity team had five runners finish in the top ten with captain Madeline Kerr ‘25 placing first overall.
Meanwhile, on North Street, varsity soccer also played against LCA. They got a very large win: 8-1. Shoutout to the girls who scored those goals: Captain Cate Lynch ‘24 scored two, captain Leslie Baker ‘24 scored two, Ellie Poulos ‘27 scored three, and Eva Derendorf ‘25 scored one. Cate Lynch ‘24 enjoyed playing in her final Homecoming game, saying: “Homecoming was a super fun experience for the whole soccer team. We played LCA, and we weren’t sure how the game would go as they can be tough opponents. However, we beat them 8-1 in a fun and exciting game.”
Also on North Street, varsity volleyball played against last year’s conference champions, Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall. In a thrilling game consisting of four sets, or rounds, Montrose came out victorious.
Overall, this year’s Montrose Homecoming games were a huge success. Since Montrose’s Homecoming began in the 2018-19 school year, this was the first year in which all four fall sports teams pulled out wins in their games, making this year the most successful Montrose Homecoming!
By Kristina Klauzinski ‘24, Sports Editor
24kklauzinski@montroseschool.org
