The Watterson High School field hockey team is in the midst of one of the toughest portions of its schedule.
The Eagles faced perennially strong opponents Upper Arlington on Sept. 18 and Olentangy Liberty on Sept. 20, and they will return to Central Ohio Field Hockey League-East Division play Tuesday, Sept. 26, at defending league champion Columbus Academy.
Both the Eagles and Vikings have a league loss to Granville, with Watterson losing 2-0 on Aug. 31 and Academy falling to the Blue Aces 1-0 on Sept. 6.
Watterson is 3-1 in the league and dropped to 3-3 overall after losing to Shaker Heights 2-1 and Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown 3-0 on Sept. 16.
"This is kind of the week we've looked at all season," coach Janet Baird said. "We have to really grow up quickly."
Watterson has been led by seniors Caroline Golonka (goalkeeper), Emily Harbrecht (right midfielder) and Fran Passen (center midfielder) while a group of mostly inexperienced players have found their way.
According to Baird, senior left winger Lillie Fernandes and junior attacker Lexi Igoe also have been key contributors.
In a 5-2 victory over Bexley on Sept. 11, Igoe scored two goals and Fernandes, Passen and junior midfielder Jessica Joseph each scored one.
"We had a tough preseason and we've played a lot of good teams," Baird said. "In (the win over Bexley) we really commanded the lead, but it was a tough game and physical. Our seniors have played really well."
Football team out
to clean up errors
The football team committed seven turnovers through its first three games, with four coming in a 22-0 loss to Olentangy Orange on Sept. 1.
The Eagles will try to snap a three-game losing streak Friday, Sept. 22, at Cleveland Benedictine. The contest is their third consecutive road game.
"We've had turnovers and penalties at inopportune times," coach Brian Kennedy said. "This is our first bit of adversity."
Watterson fell to 1-3 with a 47-17 loss at Wheelersburg on Sept. 15. That same night, Benedictine dropped to 3-1 with a 62-28 loss to Erie (Pennsylvania) Cathedral Prep.
A year ago, the Eagles beat Benedictine 10-7 during a season in which both teams finished 3-7.
Through three games for Watterson, Cameron Headlee had rushed for 146 yards and one touchdown, Nick DePalma had run for 80 yards and one touchdown and quarterback Cole Andrews was 40-for-70 passing for 546 yards and four touchdowns. Both Nathan Meyer and Charlie Spencer had two touchdown receptions.
Junior quarterback Nick Demchuk and senior running backs Keith Williams and Patrick Fleming lead the Bengals' offense.
Senior Chris Jefferson, who had three interceptions and three fumble recoveries a year ago, leads Benedictine's defense.
Volleyball team
snaps short skid
With a 25-16, 25-16, 26-24 victory over Ready on Sept. 14, the girls volleyball team ended a three-match losing streak that included a 22-25, 25-16, 17-25, 25-14, 15-11 loss to DeSales on Sept. 12.
The Eagles were 7-6 overall and 3-2 in the CCL before playing Hartley on Sept. 19. Their next league match is Sept. 28 at home against DeSales.
Through 12 matches, Karlyn Hannewald was leading the team in kills with 99, followed by Grace Jenkins (77) and Olyvia Kennedy (69), and Josie Vondran was first in blocks with 24.
Defensively for the Eagles, Sydney Taylor had 140 digs and 181 receptions and Callie Cloran had 103 digs and 169 receptions.
Vondran was first in assists with 243.
julrey@thisweeknews.com
@UlreyThisWeek
SchedulesBelow are the coming schedules for the Watterson cross country, field hockey, boys golf, girls golf, boys soccer, girls soccer, girls tennis and girls volleyball teams:
CROSS COUNTRY
Sept. 23 -- Bob Reall Invitational at Lancaster
FIELD HOCKEY
Sept. 23 -- At Cincinnati Ursuline Academy and at Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame
*Sept. 26 -- At Columbus Academy
*Sept. 27 -- Home vs. Lancaster
BOYS GOLF
Sept. 23 -- Watterson Invitational at Clover Valley
Sept. 24 -- CCL postseason tournament at The Players Club at Foxfire
Sept. 27 -- Teays Valley at The Players Club at Foxfire
GIRLS GOLF
Sept. 21 -- Newark Catholic at The Links at Echo Springs
Sept. 25 -- Olentangy, Olentangy Liberty and Pickerington North at Turnberry
Sept. 26 -- Olentangy Orange at Safari
BOYS SOCCER
Sept. 21 -- At Hilliard Darby
*Sept. 26 -- At St. Charles
GIRLS SOCCER
*Sept. 21 -- Home vs. Hartley
Sept. 23 -- Home vs. Hilliard Darby
GIRLS TENNIS
Sept. 21 -- At Dublin Coffman
Sept. 26 -- At New Albany
Sept. 27 -- At Columbus Academy
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Sept. 25 -- Home vs. Watkins Memorial
*League contest