Stick-ing to the basics with fall sports, Wareham Week is catching up with each team to get the scoop on the upcoming season, who the players to watch are and more.

With a team made up of Mashpee, Bourne and Wareham students, Vikings field hockey faces more challenges than just their opponents. Wareham Week Reporter Brandy Muz went down to practice to talk with Head Coaches Veronica Debonise and Eilis Auger.

Q: How are you feeling about the season and what are the expectations?

Debonise: I feel better than I did at the beginning of the season for sure now that we have Mashpee with us. We have stronger play and more experienced players have joined. It makes me really hopeful to win more.

Q: What has changed from last year to this year?

Auger: Mashpee often only had 13 players and Wareham had 13 when we played them. So to have 18 players on a good day? Now we have ways to sub people and have older kids help the younger kids. It gives us a lot more opportunity. 

Q: What are the team’s strengths and what are some areas for improvement?

Debonise: I feel like our field play is pretty evenly spread out where we have experienced players— sometimes we'd only have all offense. So, in that way we have a good balance.

Auger: They're definitely trying to improve how to play with each other. We still have kids that are pretty young and not understanding the whole game and the best ways to play. Being able to read what your teammate is going to do with the ball is important.

Q: How has the merger worked out so far? 

Debonise: It's been rocky off and on because we both went into it as head coaches. We both coach a little differently, so that's been an adjustment. Some days bring more than others— we're just trying to figure out how to work with each other. Sometimes we butt heads and sometimes things run smoothly. Overall I feel like we're definitely successful with the merger, I've enjoyed getting to know the Mashpee students and Bourne student.

Auger: My daughter is a senior and for her to have the opportunity to meet other students that play field hockey is a really great opportunity. I think some of them get super competitive and they don't understand that the kids on the other side are just like them. So to have us merge together and have the kids understand that even though we're from different towns, they're just like us, it's a huge important life lesson.

Q: Who are the players to watch for this year?

Auger: Mae Langelier, she's the senior captain from Wareham and she plays the back. She's very strong on defense. Dierdre Tokla as well for defense— she's from Mashpee. Ainsley Rebello and Mckay Auger from Mashpee for midfield along with Rhiannon Tokla. I'd also say Jasmine Fernandes who is the goalie. She's done really well in the last couple of games and has improved a lot. Mya Stewart is another one, she's a Wareham junior and she just works really hard. 

The Vikings started their season with a win against Southeastern Reg Voc/Tech School Friday, Sept. 5. With a 2 to 4 score as of Monday, Sept. 22, the coaches both said they are exited to get on the field this season and see the merger take shape.