When the Whitehall field hockey team steps onto the field to begin the district tournament, you can bet they’ll remember their season opener against Easton as they look to exact some revenge in the quarterfinals.

They lost 9-0 to the Red Rovers who are their opening round opponent in the District XI AAA playoffs which began on Wednesday. The Zephs, who are the sixth seed enter the tourney at 10-8-1, while Easton, the third seed, are 17-3.

Head coach Jennifer Bodnar hopes that bit of history will serve as motivation, but also stresses that they’re vastly improved from that opening game which will also play a big part in their match.

“We’re really a much different team than we were then,” said Bodnar. “I think we learned from that game and we’ve definitely improved.”

Bodnar said that they’re excited to be the sixth seed in the tourney and look forward to the opportunity of playing the Red Rovers. She expects the rematch to be much closer since both teams have made strides since that September meeting.

She also knows it will be a tough task since the Red Rovers have scored 140 goals through 20 games so far this season.

“They can put the ball in the cage, that’s for sure,” said Bodnar.

The Red Rovers have two players among the EPC’s first team all-stars as forwards Hailey Couch and Ellie McIntyre were both named to the group. Whitehall placed forward Kassidy Cunningham and defender Kaitlyn Cunningham on the second team.

Kassidy Cunningham said that a key element to advancing in the tourney is making sure they’re all on the same page, and that begins with talking with one another on the field.

“We just have to work together and communicate really well,” said Cunningham. “Working together is the key.”

While facing such a potent offense, she said they have to be sound defensively as well.

“Our defense needs to step up more,” said Cunningham.

Bodnar said that defense is an area where they’ve really improved. They’ve become better at eliminating open looks in their end.

“We’re contesting a lot more shots,” said Bodnar.

Cunningham said that it’s not only the defensive unit that has to step up, but the midfielders and forwards as well whose responsibility is recovery. If everyone gets involved and plays good team defense, that will benefit the whole team.

Bodnar said that they held two good scrimmages in preparation for the Red Rovers. They played Lehighton and Moravian Academy in their tuneup games leading into Wednesday’s clash.

She feels it’s also important to get off to a fast start. She believes if they keep the game close in the opening minutes, and play strong in the midfield, and keep their big scorers in check, they have the ability to score.

“It was such a one-sided game, and the longer we keep it close and create some offensive scoring chances, it just makes everyone’s confidence that much stronger,” said Bodnar.