By Sigal Spitzer, Sports Editor

Previously undefeated, the Lady Firehawk flag football team faced reality in its second season, playing against two long-established teams in a short fall season and losing both games.

Last spring was the first time Shalhevet had ever fielded a flag football team, so coach Mr. Chris Buckley decided to have a shorter introduction season. Shalhevet won its first game 14-13 and the second 7-0, both against the YULA Panthers, who were playing in their second season.

But playing against LA Adventist was different.

“The two LA Adventist teams we played have been playing for a lot of years so they were more experienced then YULA,” said sophomore quarterback Nicole Feder. “They were more advanced.”

Though the Firehawks never gave up during their long fought games, the other teams dominated the field. The team continues to practice in order to beat YULA again this upcoming spring.

Not until the fall this year did Shalhevet play a new team besides for YULA. Many local tournaments in Los Angeles occurred during the chagim, preventing Shalhevet from participating.  Only one tournament did not fall out on Shabbat or a chag, but Coach Buckley said Shalhevet’s invitation was withdrawn due to a scheduling problem.

Scheduling is also a problem during practice, when girls have conflicts with other sports – especially basketball, which is now year-round – and co-curriculars. But Coach Buckley said he was “reticent to punish players or bench them for missing practices” because he is afraid of hurting the team or not having enough players to compete.

He said practices would resume next spring after the basketball and soccer seasons end.

“In the spring, the best way to improve is to have all of the best players available for games and practices,” said coach Buckley. “This was not the case in the fall, but this did give me an opportunity to give valuable experience to new players.”

Next spring, players say they plan to work harder and expect the unexpected every time they walk onto the field.

“The teams we played were 10 times harder then YULA and our expectations were too low,” said junior Miriam Lelah.

The confidence and excitement about the girls flag football program in the school still remains high.

“I love school sports.” said junior Maya Ben Shushan. Though she is not on a sport team due to back problems preventing physical activity, she still supports the team. “I think that flag football is awesome and opens up another door to interact Shalhevet students in co-curricular activities. That’s what Shalhevet is known for doing and should keep doing.”

The girls on the team cannot wait until spring season to get back on the field.

I’m excited to beat YULA again,” said senior Emilie Benyowitz.

Others just want to play the sport.

“I hope to learn and improve both as a team and individually,’” said freshman Rose Lipner.