Rivalry goes to Raiders

Willey, Hun top PDS field hockey

By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
   Tyler Willey provided a goal the last time that the Hun School field hockey team defeated Princeton Day School.
   Three years later, it was Katie Willey’s play that helped the Raiders top PDS, 3-1, Wednesday for their first win over their cross-town rival since 2005. The junior midfielder was instrumental as Hun slowed a PDS attack enough to give its own offense a chance to show off its newfound aggressiveness and confidence.
   ”It was a lot of working together as a defense,” Willey said. “They had a very strong attack. They had a lot of fast players. Instead of an individual attack we had to all work together. Their girls were fast as lighting so we had to work together. As a defense it was one of our better games because we worked together to hold them off.”
   Hun jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half on goals by Kara Colicchio and Alix Aidekman. Both goals came on tipped shots.
   ”For two days, that’s all we practiced,” said Hun head coach Kathy Quirk after her team improved to 5-6-2 going into Saturday’s homecoming game against Peddie. “We’ve beat up on our goalies for two days to get aggressive. It has finally paid off.
   ”We were at the goal before, but no one would rush. We wouldn’t put any pressure on the goalie. We’ve just been practicing for two days.”
   Willey credits the intense practices for the big win. Hun has not lost in its last four games and is gaining steam as it approaches tournament time.
   ”The entire team is trying really hard and is coming to have a lot of fun in the game,” Willey said. “We have more competitiveness now and more drive to score and win and come out as a champion. I think we just have more fire.”
   Hun had to dig a little deeper when PDS pulled within a goal less than three minutes into the second half when Mariel Jenkins converted a pass from her sister, Sydney. The Raiders, however, didn’t allow another score as Taylor Landis-Miller finished with five saves and Hun got an insurance goal midway through the second half on another tip-in, this one by Jacquelyn Evans off a Colicchio assist.
   ”They played a nice game,” said Quirk of PDS, which slipped to 6-7. “They’re a very well coached team. We knew we had to shut down the Jenkins sisters. We were able to contain them to one goal.
   ”When they came out and scored one, I thought, here we go. But we were able to hold them. They kept knocking at the door. We were getting tired and got a little sloppy in the circle, but we were able to hold on.”
   Willey’s third-regular season meeting with PDS proved to be the charm. She started playing for the Hun varsity as a freshman, when her sister was a senior. She followed Tyler into the sport from a young age.
   ”Field hockey has been in our family,” Willey said. “My mom played it when she was in high school. My sister and I both started in fifth grade right when we could start. It definitely felt natural.”
   While Tyler, who now plays forward for Union College, was a little more offensive minded as one of Hun’s top goal scorers, Katie has played it all for Hun. Willey has played forward as a freshman, defense as a sophomore and now midfield.
   ”I have been playing a lot of defense,” said Willey, who along with Vivi Washington has helped to strengthen the middle of Hun’s defensive end. “I equally enjoy both. I definitely love to stop the other team from scoring, and I love to have the chance to score.”
   Just as Willey has different strengths on the field, she has some unique gifts off the field. Willey is an accomplished pianist, so much so that she will probably break from following her sister’s footsteps in two years.
   ”I think a few of the girls would be surprised that I’m not going to college for field hockey,” Willey said. “I’m going for music instead.”
   Willey started playing piano when she was 5. And about the time she started to play field hockey, she also moved her piano lessons to Westminster in Princeton. On top of her school workload and field hockey, she tries to practice piano at least one hour per day. It’s about all her life allows.
   ”I’ve slowly started to narrow it down,” Willey said. “Basically, I’ve narrowed it to field hockey and piano.”
   Fortunately for Hun’s chances, field hockey is still a big part of Katie Willey’s life.