The stands at Recht field burst into uproarious applause as the Panther Girls Field Hockey team brought home another victory under the lights on October 14th, continuing their long win streak. In their second year with a varsity program, the Boulder Valley field hockey team – composed mostly of students from Boulder, Fairview, and Monarch High – is boasting their best season yet. The girls are currently crushing the league with a 10-2-1 record following an incredible 3-0 win on senior night.
Field hockey is a fast-paced, competitive game, similar to soccer, lacrosse, or, obviously, hockey. The game is played on turf, with eleven players (including a goalie) on the field each quarter, using short, curved sticks to drive a small ball down the field and into the opposing team’s goal. There are also a few hard-and-fast rules that differentiate field hockey from ice hockey or soccer, such as players using a ball roughly three inches in diameter instead of a puck, only being allowed to hit the ball with the flat side of the stick, and only being able to score by shooting from within the “striking circle”.
The sport originated in England and has long had a strong presence in the Northeast, but has only recently begun gaining popularity in the West. In fact, Boulder Valley’s field hockey program is only four years old! The team fought for two years to gain entry into the CHSAA varsity league, and since then have proved themselves among the top teams in the state.
Last year, three players earned all-state honors in the program’s first varsity season, including two graduated athletes and current varsity senior Lyla Jolly, ‘26. This year, more promising athletes are following in their footsteps in the program’s winningest season to date.
Tenley Layne, ‘26, is one of those players to watch. “Playing field hockey has honestly been one of my highlights of high school,” says Layne, who was named one of three varsity captains this season in her fourth and final year on the team. “The game is so fun and we have an amazing team with some of the best people on it.” Layne, who reps jersey #10 and often receives cheers of “go, ten!” in honor of her name and number, plays right forward, an offensive position that focuses on scoring goals, similar to a right wing in soccer.
Layne is proud of her team for their incredible improvement in the last four years. She has seen the team grow from a brand-new, no-cut program in her freshman year to one of the best teams in the state of Colorado. Across the entire team, it is evident that both coaches and players are extremely proud of the program they have built.
An important part of that program is the community that the athletes have cultivated. “The whole team is very close and supportive of each other, which helps both on and off the field,” says Layne. “The BHS team has given me so many amazing friendships and taught me what it means to be on a team, and to have trust in the people around me.” This kind of strong community means players work hard and perform their best for their teammates, and support each other through hard times.
At the games, the community of the team is evident. At their senior night on October 14th, coaches presented all graduating seniors – many of whom have been with the team all four years – with a bouquet, sash, and huge cardboard cut-out of their jersey number, covered with notes and pictures from the entire team.
Ruby Gustafson, ‘26, who plays defense, adds that through field hockey she has “gained so many friendships, and minor back problems.” From the total support that sidelined players give their teammates on the field, to team dinners and bonding at Chipotle, the camaraderie of the team is unmatched, and has made the sport a lifelong community for all players. Many of the seniors express plans to continue playing field hockey in college, either at the Division or club level. As a new crop of players look to take their place on the team, Head Coach Mullen and assistant varsity Coach Van der Linden both express immense pride in their team and joy to help grow the sport in Colorado.
As the team moves from their regular season into the postseason bracket, come support your Panther girls. The sport is fun, fast, and exciting to watch, and they are always looking for new recruits. We wish the program a best of luck as they head into the postseason, and Sko Thurs!
