By Richard Kellam

Maryland high school sports were abruptly cancelled in March of 2020 when the MPSSAA and the Maryland Department of Health imposed a quarantine due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Crisfield High School was not exempted from the ban, all spring activities were cancelled — and senior athletes the hardest hit. When school restarted in September for the 2020-21 season fall sports were postponed but were rescheduled to what normally would have been the winter season. A modified schedule with no State playoffs.

The Lady Crabbers field hockey team finished strong with 2 wins and a tie in their last 4 contests. “I wish we had the playoffs, we had momentum but at least we had a season,” Coach Hannah Sterling said about the shortened “fall” season.

Delaware meanwhile played a full scholastic schedule: fall, winter and spring with playoffs. Maryland did resume State Tournament play in the spring. Coach Sterling was looking forward to the 2021-22 season, a fresh start putting the unfortunate events behind.

“The COVID was the last thing on my mind, all I was thinking about was field hockey,” said Sterling. Numbers were down, Sterling’s roster was only 15 players strong but the Lady Crabbers were ready. Crisfield played well in their two scrimmage games and were set to open the new season at Queen Anne’s Sept. 9.

COVID issues put a damper on the Lady Crabbers early season hopes, CHS was under quarantine again and the opener was postponed. “Right at the first week of school we were ready for that game and it happened again,” said Sterling. She had just 7 players available and CHS was idle for a week their first game a 6-0 loss to Parkside.

Crisfield defeated Kent 1-0 in overtime, the Lady Crabbers were 1-5 halfway through the season when COVID struck again, another quarantine and Crisfield did not play for over two weeks.

“It was very disappointing, 2 weeks and we wound up losing 3 games,” said senior Molly Dryden.

Crisfield did not play again until Oct. 16, the schedule was revamped to get as many games in before the regular season deadline. CHS did lose 3 games off their schedule, contests with Bennett, Holly Grove and North Caroline were dropped. North Caroline was supposed to visit CHS Sept. 20 but a bus driver shortage put the game on hold.

“Really disappointing to have our games taken away,” said senior Noel Atkins. The two week delay was a definite momentum transformer, no games, no practice it was almost like starting over.

“The first time was a setback, but not as bad as the second time we had half the team out and we’re still not 100%,” said senior Brooke Coons as the Lady Crabbers returned to action against Kent Island Oct. 16.

Coming back from COVID can be challenging, the effects vary from person to person. “It was hard to come back, it felt like my lungs were barely working,” said senior Valecia Styles. “It was even harder the second time.” Crisfield completed regular season play squeezing 4 games in from the 16^th through the 21^st.

“It was a roadblock we were getting better every day gaining momentum then you can’t do anything for two weeks,” Coach Sterling said. CHS lost to Washington 9-0 in the finale and will travel to Pocomoke Nov. 1 for an East Region II semifinal. The Lady Crabbers lost to the Warriors 5-0 on the 18^th. “I feel bad for the seniors missing 3 games, it’s all messed up,” said junior Marikate Balderson.

East Region II has just 4 teams, CHS, Washington, Pocomoke and Parkside, the Rams one of 11 2A schools dropped down to 1A for the State Tournament. “I don’t understand why they’re in with us, it’s not fair,” Sterling said.

Crisfield field hockey has reached the 1A Final Four 3 times, each time they faced 2A schools who were moved to 1A for the playoffs. Junior Logan Howard a Second Team All South pick last season will likely find her spot in jeopardy when the Team is selected for this year. Howard missed 3 of the 9 contests that Crisfield was able to play.

It’s an uphill struggle, weeks of quarantine with no action, CHS has basically spent the season trying to regroup. “It was difficult when we couldn’t practice and so many were out but we can bounce back,” said Howard.