Senior Rose Mills enter the field during a fall 2026 game. Photo by Bryan Vo.
Riverside’s field hockey team is off to a rough start, but isn’t afraid of a little adversity.
The Pirates lost two early-season games to rival Cape Fear Academy. They’re currently 5-0, but remain excited for practices and conference games.
“I’m really excited for another go, to show them what we’re made of,” senior Gretchen Karnowski said.
Karnowski has been in the program for 4 years. Field hockey only fields a varsity team, but Despite being small in number, the players cherish the opportunities it provides..
“I’ve experienced a very safe place where the coach is happy to see us every day and the girls are very nice,” senior Rose Mills said.
“I’m excited for the new team, getting to know people,” senior Ezzy Johnson-Kraze said. “I’m excited to keep playing and learning how to grow.”
Karnowski, Mills and Johnson-Kraze said that the keys to success this season are growing as a team, connecting outside of the sport and staying positive.
“We have a smaller team this year, so I’m really excited for the closeness, the friendship, and the good teamwork that can come from having a tighter-knit, smaller group of people,” Karnowski said.
Riverside plays at East Chapel HIll High School on Sept. 22.
