In its first game as a varsity program in 2020, the St. Mary’s field hockey team absorbed a 8-0 thumping from Catholic Central rival Bishop Feehan.
“After that, we thought, ‘Alright, this is going to be a little bit more difficult than we thought,’ ” St. Mary’s coach Victoria Ault recalled. “That really just became our mark.”
Six seasons later, that mark has transformed into a milestone.
The Spartans (14-0-1), ranked 13th in this week’s Globe Top 20 poll, not only have defeated Feehan twice, but also captured the program’s first CCL title. They’ve shut out 11 opponents; scored 62 goals; and defeated No. 16 Monomoy (1-0), and tied No. 9 Andover (0-0) — a pair of perennial state contenders.
Ault, who coached St. Mary’s inaugural junior varsity program in 2019, noted with pride: “Each year we got a little better. It really has been a stepping stone. We haven’t regressed once.”
The early days were fueled by players like Gianna Korisianos, a member of the first varsity team who is now a defender at the University of New England. Her younger sister, Ava, picked up field hockey thanks to her sister’s devotion to the group.
“It all started with her year and her team,” Ava Korisianos said. “She follows [the team] along every single day. She never got to win the CCL or get this high in the division, and she’s honestly just really proud.”
Now a senior captain committed to Southern New Hampshire, Korisianos helps lead a squad defined by more than just skill.
She joined the varsity team in eighth grade with her fellow co-captain, senior goalkeeper Tabby Lopes. After battling for the starting position for three seasons, Lopes now anchors the backfield with only four goals against.
“[Tabby’s] leadership on the defensive end and Ava’s leadership on the offensive end are really coming together and pushing the team to want to do better,” Ault said.
St. Mary’s offense tops the CCL in points, led by sophomore Camdyn Driscoll (17 goals, 11 assists) and followed by junior Alyssa Norden (17 goals, 10 assists). Ava Korisianos ranks fourth with eight goals and seven assists.
The depth doesn’t stop there. Two seventh graders joined the league’s top 10 scorers: Effie Parsons (5 goals, 9 assists), and Driscoll’s younger sister, Tenley, (3 goals, 2 assists). Junior Keira Twomey (5 goals, 3 assists) is seventh.
“It starts with the defense,” said the elder Driscoll. “And we’re very serious about being on the post this year, because a lot of rebounds go to the post.”
Efforts from junior defender Emma Gustin and sophomore Addison Markiewicz keep the circle clear, helping power Lopes to a 0.31 goals against average. But the Spartans’ defensive edge stretches beyond their zone.
“Everyone works on their stick handling, everyone works on the defensive side of the game,” Lopes said. “Even [Camdyn], as a forward, plays defense sometimes.”
Ault’s disciplined coaching style has been the backbone of St. Mary’s success, guiding the team through early growing pains.
“She’s a very tough coach, but she cares,” Lopes said. “In other years, she wanted us to want to win so bad, and this year, the energy is finally being reciprocated.”
Ault said she has a lot of girls who have been waiting their turn the last couple of years.
“It’s really just a testament to Tabby and Ava’s leadership and their desire to win,” she said.
That leadership sparked a new wave of enthusiasm for the program.
“We have a really big roster, which is insane,” Lopes said.
The Spartans’ growth came full circle against Bishop Feehan.
“I was bawling my eyes out after the game,” said Lopes. “To do it with a team as special as this and with a coach like Vic, it felt so good to finally win.”
St. Mary’s heads to the postseason confident and composed, ready to test their limits.
“We have to stay hungry and humble, so no matter where we end up, we keep our eyes on the prize and just keep working,” Ault said.
Corner hits
▪ A pair of juniors, Haylee Krakowski (19 goals) and Sarah Diedrichsen (14 goals), have paced West Bridgewater (10-2-2) into contention for first place in the South Coast Conference.
“They really work well together and around the net,” said coach Bill Flynn. “They’re active and they work hard.”
But Krakowski and Diedrichsen’s impressive seasons have not come without help. A strong midfield composed of Brianna LaGrange, Reese O’Keefe, Maeve Matta, and Alexis Perez has played a key role in creating scoring opportunities within the circle.
“We have a strong midfield that does a really good job of getting that ball into the circle, and those two seem to be able to capitalize on [it],” Flynn said. “If the midfielders aren’t getting the ball up to them into that circle, [then] those goals aren’t happening. It’s a full team effort all the way through, from the back line all the way up.”
▪ Former Watertown standout Caroline Andrade was crowned NFHCA Player of the Week for her five-goal, three-assist performance in a three-win week for Westfield State. The freshman has registered nine goals and three assists for the Owls (11-3), who are riding a nine-game win streak.
At Watertown, Andrade was a member of a Raiders class that went undefeated, winning four straight Division 3 championships. The 2025 Globe All-Scholastic selection wrapped up her high school career with 105 points.
Games to watch
Wednesday, Medfield at No. 17 Dover-Sherborn, 4:30 p.m. — The Warriors (8-1 TVL) faces a crucial matchup at the Raiders (10-0 TVL) in a game that could determine the Tri-Valley Small champ.
Thursday, No. 15 Masconomet at No. 20 Lynnfield, 4 p.m. — Masco aims to remain unbeaten while Lynnfield looks for a win ahead of its final two Cape Ann matchups.
Thursday, No. 12 Franklin at Uxbridge, 4:30 p.m. — The Franklin defense will face its biggest test of the season against the most prolific attack in the state. Unbeaten Uxbridge has 89 goals. Franklin has yielded three.
Monday, No. 16 Monomoy at No. 5 Hingham, 4:30 p.m. — After limiting No. 3 Sandwich to just one goal, Monomoy aims to become the first team to defeat Hingham. The Patriot League Keenan champs enter the matchup with only a single tie, a 2-2 draw against Sandwich.
Tuesday, No. 14 Concord-Carlisle at Acton-Boxborough, 4 p.m. — The two teams are separated by one tie in the Dual County Thorpe standings. In the first meeting, it was a 4-4 draw.
Correspondent Alexandria Evans contributed to this story.
Alexa Podalsky can be reached at alexa.podalsky@globe.com.