The McLean High School varsity field hockey team’s season has been filled with ups and downs throughout the course of the summer and fall months, but if track record is any indication, the Highlanders are sitting in prime position for a winning streak as they enter district play next week.

McLean has so far won and lost in pairs, starting off with two wins before dropping two in a row. They repeated the same pattern over the course of their next four matches, the latter losses coming against Westfield High and Centerville High, 2-0 and 1-0, respectively.

With their record now sitting at 4-4, the Highlanders hope that their pattern will continue, but this time, will result in an even longer winning streak than just a pair of games.

In their most recent game against Centreville this past Monday, McLean successfully defended the Wildcat’s assault, capped up by 15 short corners. However, Centerville managed to scratch out the winning goal resulting from a scuffle within the scoring circle.

Coach Malia Fischer commented that junior midfielder Elisa Enriques and co-captain Alaura Maglio both “elevated the midfield with their perseverance and energy throughout the night.”

While their intensity level remained at maximum capacity against Westfield on September 11, the result remained the same, falling 2-0 to the Bulldogs. Westfield’s offense proved to be too fast and strong for the Highlanders, as was evident right from the opening whistle.

With the score knotted at zero going into the break, the Bulldogs rode a fast second-half start to victory, shutting out McLean.

With district play fast approaching, in order to get to the level that they want to play at, commented Fischer, the Highlander offense will have to increase their productivity and maximize their potential.

So far, in their four losses, the Highlanders have yet to score a goal, and although they have barely squeaked by in 1-0 wins twice, the goal differential in their eight matches is a whopping 14-8 in favor of the opposition.

McLean will have an opportunity to rebound against the Langley Saxons on September 25 on the road at 4 p.m.