When the AIC field hockey team began their season, they had just one substitute on the bench. However, when one of their players got injured early in the season, they were left with no subs, forcing the team to play every game without the luxury of resting players. Another injury midway through the season only added to the challenge, forcing them to bring back a former teammate and rely on players who hadn’t touched a field hockey stick in years. Despite the odds, the team continues to push forward, driven by determination and a strong sense of unity.
Remarkably, this season also marked the first time in eight years that AIC field hockey started their season with a 3-0 record in conference play, proving that even with the challenges, the team is more competitive than ever.
The turning point came during a match when sophomore midfielder Mar Busqueta, one of the team’s key players, was injured, forcing the team to play the entire match with a smaller team than the opponent. “It was tough,” said Busqueta, recalling how the team had to adapt. “But they learned to stay focused and persevere. The team tried to manage their energy by being smart with their positioning and by trusting each other. The pressure is always there, but we learned to deal with it.” She said the team has learned to play smarter, not harder.
But as the playoffs loom, the team faces new challenges: due to multiple injuries, they now need to bring in players who haven’t played in a long time just to fill out the roster. Jennie Fuller ended her four years with the Yellow Jackets last season, but she returned this year to help her team. Brianna Harzula, a graduate student who plays softball at AIC, also showed up to help out the field hockey team. Harzula hasn’t played field hockey since high school, but is a welcome addition to the small team this year. Without these reinforcements, the team would be a player short. While this could be seen as a setback, the team is choosing to see it as another opportunity to grow stronger.
Without substitutes, the team has had to adjust their style of play. Rather than expending all their energy on aggressive runs, they’ve become more strategic in their positioning and ball movement. Sophomore forward Maddie Darling explained how this season has changed their game: “It’s made us more strategic. We can’t afford to sprint after every ball or take risks we can’t recover from. We’ve had to focus on smart play, knowing when to press and when to hold back. It’s definitely made us more disciplined.”
With every game, the team learns to pace themselves better and conserve energy for key moments. As freshman goalie Frederique den Hartog pointed out, the season has been full of surprises: “I expected us to struggle more with exhaustion, but it’s pushed us to dig deeper and find the energy we didn’t know we had. We’ve become more resilient and mentally tougher.”
However, the challenges haven’t just been physical. The emotional toll of playing every game with minimal backup has brought the team closer together. According to Busqueta, constant communication has been the key to maintaining morale, even in tough moments: “We keep talking to each other. Even when we’re exhausted, there’s always someone calling out encouragement or helping us refocus. We celebrate the little wins during the game and remind each other that we’re all feeling the same pressure.”
Despite the obstacles, the team is keeping their sights set on the playoffs. Den Hartog believes that the key to their success, if they make it, will be their unity and adaptability. “Everyone has had to step up and take on more responsibility,” she said. “Our communication on the field has improved, and we’ve learned to rely on each other in ways that make us stronger.”
Maddie Darling is confident that the challenges they’ve faced this season have prepared them for whatever comes next: “We’ve faced one of the toughest challenges a team can, playing every game with no subs, and we’ve not only survived, we’ve thrived. I think this season has taught us that we’re stronger than we think, and that mindset is going to carry us through.”
As the season ends, the AIC field hockey team has already proven that they can handle whatever is thrown their way. Whether they make the playoffs or not, they’ve demonstrated that resilience, teamwork, and smart play can overcome even the toughest of circumstances. And with a little luck, and perhaps a few more healthy players, they might just make history this year.
