Experienced Field Hockey Players Open Season Today

Two seniors, a center halfback and a goalie, will captain the field hockey team as they sail into the 2011 season.

Center-half Georgia Polemenakos and goalie Nicki Gioiosa will lead a group that enjoys speed and togetherness.

The speed is born of athleticism, Coach Toby Channen says.

The tightness is born of playing together for a long time, she says. The team lost only three players to graduation.

The girls are close on the field and off the field, Channen says.

Wednesday night they sat down for their weekly team meal — Chinese take-out — at a player's home.

Today they will run the field together and try to knock in goals against Peabody High School.

Last year the team wound up 8-7-3, said Channen, now in her fourth season coaching the Blue.

The team has 18 games, mostly match-ups against NEC opponents but including games against Malden and Everett.

As the season progresses, Channen wants the players to work on their stick skills and create scoring opportunities.

The goal is to qualify for the tournament and win the NEC title.

The title banner has eluded Swampscott.

"There is not a banner in the gym at Swampscott High and that is the goal — being the NEC champions," she said. "That is the dream."

The team goes to work on that dream today at Phillips Park.

Game time: 3:45.