Coastal Point • R. Chris Clark : From left to right: Senior captain Sarah Buchler, senior captain Maggie Allison, head coach Jodi Stone, junior Callie McDowell, and junior Paiton Murray were all key factors in the Indian River Field Hockey program's turnaround this season.With five different coaches in the past seven years, and not many more wins, the Indian River Field Hockey program hasn't been taken seriously in more than a decade. They've been regarded as an easy win on the schedule by other teams throughout the league, have struggled to retain players and generate interest in the sport as a result of what had become a tradition of losing, and with no feeder program, showed no signs of turning things around.
However, after just two seasons at the helm, head coach Jodi Stone is establishing a new culture for Indian River Field Hockey. One with new expectations, new goals, and a whole new attitude. A culture where what has come to be known as "The Quiet Storm," is starting to get louder.
After a 1-14 season in 2013, the program started to see dividends in Stone's second year, posting a 5-9-1 record and putting forth much more competitive efforts against some of the better teams in the state.
The game would eventually end in a 2-0 loss for Indian River after a last-minute Delmar goal. However, compared to an 8-1 loss in 2013, it became a clear indicator of just how far the team had come.
Perhaps the highlight of the season came against another historically successful South opponent, when senior Sarah Buchler notched an overtime goal against Milford to give the Lady Indians a 2-1 victory.
"It was just an unbelievable moment," recalled Stone of the game winning goal, when the entire team rushed the field.
For players like Buchler, the season was by far the most successful of their entire careers.
Aside from coaching consistency, and the players now believing in the cause and putting in the work, the program will eventually benefit from a field hockey feeder program that got its start this summer with the help of Stone and Millsboro Middle School coaches Pattiva Cathell and Molly Chamberlin.
While it's too early to see the effects, progress has already been made at the middle school level which will eventually benefit Indian River, Sussex Central, and other area high schools.
As for next season, the team only graduates Buchler and senior captain Maggie Allison, and while their leadership will certainly be missed, they're confident in the precedent that they've helped establish.
Returning most the starting lineup in 2015, leaders like McDowell realize that expectations will be even higher for what will be Stone's third season, as what had once been a quiet storm continues to garner more and more attention.