For the Catasauqua field hockey team this season, it has been a series of challenges.

Their overall 1-7-1 record to begin this season may be deceiving because the Rough Riders have been dealing with a series of obstacles that have slowed their progress. The Roughies rarely have been at full strength.

“This year our team has faced its fair share of adversity,” said head coach Amanda Freiler. “First, one of our seniors was not able to be medically cleared due to seizures, so we lost an offensive weapon. Then, we had COVID spreading around among our girls, so many were sick, missing games, or trying their best to push through.

“Senior Dakota Velas went down during a recent game, and we just found out she tore her ACL and partially tore her MCL So, this season has been plagued with injuries and illnesses.”

Freiler has relied on her upperclassmen seniors Shelby Haldeman and junior goalie lizzie Bass along with fellow juniors Kamryn Pushkar and Esmeralda Serrano for the experience and guidance.

“Shelby Haldeman has been holding down the fort while all of this chaos was happening, Lizzy Bass, Kamryn Pushkar, and Esmeralda Serrano also have been very supportive.”

Freiler also has turned to sophomores Brielle Dorn, Kiara Estrella, and Alivia Wetzel, who have been steady contributors.

“With injuries, many younger girls have found the opportunity to step up with Brielle, Kiara, and Alivia,” added Freiler. “We have a large core group of eight juniors, so we are trying to move people around now into positions that could better help our team win more.”

Haldeman, who has been the team’s leading scorer the past few seasons, is confident the team can piece together a late-season run.

“The team has definitely been faced with many challenges so far this season,” stressed Haldeman. I do believe that if we move past those struggles and work hard, we do still have a shot at making a run in districts.

“We have had many younger girls stepping up and filling the spots that needed to be filled. I believe our success will come from not worrying about what we have lost and the struggles we’ve been through but pushing past them and working hard.”