October 13, 2025 by Savannah Winter (‘26)
In sports, it is important to play for something bigger than yourself, bigger than your team. On Wednesday, October 8th, the Saratoga Varsity Field Hockey team played a competitive Cancer Awareness game against Bethlehem High School. The theme of this game was Pink Out and raised awareness for multiple foundations including #livlikeliv, #bethechange, and more. These foundations work to raise money for hospitals, warriors, and fighters that are battling cancer, as well as provide them support and love. This game gave the sport a deeper meaning and a greater purpose; to play for a greater cause.
The Saratoga Varsity Field Hockey team has had a successful and competitive season. They are expected to be a high-ranked team going into the Sectionals bracket beginning soon. With their last few games coming to an end, it is important for players and the team as a whole to reflect on their victories and growth throughout the season.
Mia Khazin, a senior and captain on the team, explains her reflections and thoughts from their past few games and the ones soon. From the beginning of her season, Khazin said how as a team, “we knew we had to work hard to prove our talent”. As the team evolved throughout the season, they gained “confidence to enhance our skills on the field” Khazin continued. The bonds between the girls along with their determination to win as a team have become such a strong part of the sport. These girls often play for each other but in the Cancer Awareness game, they played for something more.
“Playing for a cause makes us more perseverant for a win,” Khazin said. The foundations and causes played for are important and personal to many players on and off the field. Khazin empathizes with those directly impacted by cancer while stating that “we often tell ourselves if the ones you are fighting for their lives can push hard, we can too”. The energy and spirit demonstrated throughout this game shows how the team has felt both inspired and encouraged by playing for a greater idea. While in a tough game against Bethlehem, Saratoga fell just short in an extremely close 0-1 game. Previously this season, Saratoga lost to Bethlehem in overtime, which shows these two teams’ close rivalry and competitiveness. These teams are worth keeping in mind while going into Sectionals!
With Sectionals right around the corner, Khazin details how they will prepare and get ready for the upcoming games. Khazin said it’s “bittersweet,” because as a team, they are striving to win and elongate their season, but it is crucial to also look back and remember how far they have come and the values they have to offer. The teams’ hard work does not go unnoticed and throughout the season, they have proved their devotion and commitment to sport and each other. “We have to play each day in practice and at games like it is our last” Khazin concludes.
The Saratoga Varsity Field Hockey team is looking to put up a fight in sectionals. Their perseverance and cohesiveness are just some of the values that unite them as a team. Each day, each practice, each game the girls play for each other and for something bigger. That is what sports are all about.