Kayla Wilonski of Wallingford and Caroline White of Darien battle for the ball.
New Haven -- The Yale Series Championship officially has a tournament frontrunner.
During the opening day of the historic tournament, Head Coach Maureen Minicus and CT Elite (Stamford Connecticut) led the pack during a competitive battle of elite teams. The Fairfield County based club sprinted to a perfect 2-0 record, giving the team a leg up in the race for the #1 seed.
CT Elite grinded out a tough victory in the opening salvo over the New York Hockey Club, and then turned in a potent encore. A sensational 3-2 shootout with the game JVF Dragons, the contest was described by observers as a true heavyweight fight.
Caroline White of Darien Connecticut dazzled the event with 2 goals, brilliant playmaking, and an infectious passion for competition. The Amherst College commit was beyond excited to lead her ballclub to the top of the Yale Series Group as the championship turns the page to Week 2.
In an added bonus, the Senior was named Liberty Bank player of the week by the tournament organizers!
Caroline White, and CT Elite return to action this Sunday April 28th at Johnson Field, they will take on HTC, and then Competitive Edge. The slate will conclude their group stage schedule ahead of the championship tournament.
AIM Athletes Field Hockey at Johnson Field on April 21st, 2024.
AIM Athletes delivers a miracle!
In what was clearly the most exciting game of opening day, AIM Athletes, led by Head Coach Amy Krompinger, pulled out a last second victory against the courageous JVF Panthers.
A seesaw battle throughout the contest, the battle came down to a last second corner with less than 10 seconds left on the clock, Lily Bialack delivered for her team, scoring the biggest goal of opening day, and doing it precisely at the moment her ball club needed it.
Hailing from Washington Connecticut, Bialack heroics lifted her team to a solid result, a good start this championship.
Hailey Carlo (Thomaston, Connecticut) also got on the board for AIM Athletes, scoring her first goal of the tournament.
The JVF Panthers were led by Head Coach Kylie Garguilo, Katie Coughlin, Holly Querker, and Alexis Mather. Maher scoring her first goal of the tournament in her JVF debut.
AIM Athletes will return to the Yale Series on May 5th while the JVF Panthers will turn around this weekend and compete in Week 2.
Thalia Zweeres of Branford Connecticut engages in the action.
Other Notables
The New York Hockey Club, led by Head Coach Marq Mellor, submitted a gritty performance, going 1-1, and settling into 2nd place at the Yale Series Championship. A critical 1-0 win over the JVF Dragons has the team in position to advance in the latter stages of the event. Lyla Sambus and NYHC will return to the Yale Series May 5th.
The JVF Dragons, led by Head Coach Alexandra Caruso, came within inches of winning both games that ended in defeat. Paced by Kayla Wilonski, Giada Broccoli, and Ava Raffone, the Dragons have their sights set on May 5th, a critical stretch ahead of the Championship Tournament.
Week 2 of the 2024 Yale Series kicks off this Sunday evening, April 28th, at the radiant Johnson Field in New Haven Connecticut, we encourage all Field Hockey fans to attend! You can see the full schedule and additional tournament information right here.