Timely offense, stingy goalkeeping boost Fox Chapel field hockey

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, September 21, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Fox Chapel field hockey coach Kellee Cribby was happy to get a chance to coach her favorite sport again.

While Cribby played lacrosse at Allegheny College, she always had a deep appreciation for field hockey, which she played while growing up in Maine.

When Cribby, who coached the Foxes’ lacrosse program as well, took over coaching the field hockey program this season, she wanted to challenge her players to do different things.

“I switch up the formations on them and challenge them to work through it,” Cribby said. “We’ve scored more than five goals in a few games. That is more than enough to win in field hockey. They work together well.”

Fox Chapel’s highest scoring output came during a 6-1 win over Latrobe in section play on Sept. 10. The Foxes also picked up a 5-0 win over Upper St. Clair in late August.

Fox Chapel goaltender Gina Fitzsimmons has helped keep the team in games when its offense doesn’t have its best stuff. The Foxes are off to a 4-4 start, including a 2-2 mark in section play. Fox Chapel’s two losses in section have come to the eight-time defending WPIAL Class 2 champions Penn-Trafford and current first-place team Peters Township.

What makes Fitzsimmons so strong in net is how she moves to cut down angles on attacking players. Senior defenders Amanda Sokol and Ava Persichetti have been tasked with helping make Fitzimmons’ life less hectic.

“She does a great job of stepping up and clearing the ball,” Cribby said. “Our defense is able to do their best to force the opponents to the outside.”

Cribby said she believes Fox Chapel is heading in the right direction as the second half of section play is about to pick up. The Foxes are more comfortable with the different jobs they are being asked to do.

“I think we’re starting to find a groove,” Cribby said. “They are confident that I am navigating the ship in the right direction. They are positive with each other. They keep practicing and are working through it.”

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