A learning moment today

Although the result was not what we all expected, the Martlets left the field with heads held high, proving once again that their strength lies not only in skill but in heart, unity, and grace. The Martlets fiercely entered the pitch against Miss Porter’s, determined to win and to manifest a great team spirit; Their performance, which was true to the team’s spirit, demonstrated that they excelled in every single game element. The girls, right from the start of the game, were on the sunny side, dominating the ball, and their passes were sharp and very much on point. Even if the first moments of the match were rather difficult for them as they needed to get used to the hard turf, they dealt with that perfectly. The first half could be characterized as a show of patience and precision from the Martlets, who set the pace while keeping Miss Porter’s on the back foot.
Although they had a good performance, the scoreline did not reflect it, as both teams were scoreless at the halftime break. 

The Martlets entered the second half of the game with the same pressure; they were unrelenting and full of confidence as they continued to press forward. Their teamwork was the highlight of the match, as they effectively created and maintained the pressure. Nevertheless, luck was not on their side; they missed their chances and failed to score. Then, in the last quarter of the game, Miss Porter’s team found a space in the defense for the first time, and they hit with a shot that was not foreseen. The Martlets did not despair; they returned with the same passion, confidence, and drive, battling to the end for an equalizer. Their performance was tireless, and they had no broken spirit; only, they ended the game with a 0-1 result, which did not actually reflect how they dominated the field.

Despite the loss, the Martlets once again demonstrated their unwavering resilience and sportsmanship. They have established themselves as players of fair play, which has consequently earned them the admiration and respect of everyone who gets to see them play.
 

The Grit & Grace Award is presented to all team members collectively in recognition of their brave efforts and continuous dedication. Special mention is made of Eliza Reilly ’27 and Hally Brown ’27 for their strong determination and unfailing leadership, which exemplified the exceptional spirit of the Martlet. Even though the result wasn’t on their side, the Martlets walked off the pitch proud, having once more proven that their power lies equally in skill, heart, unity, and grace.