Few teams in sports where goals exist can say they’ve gone a full season without allowing one, but that’s exactly what Lindbergh’s field hockey team did in 2021.

The team finished 13-1 while allowing zero regulation goals and only lost in a playoff shootout against Lafayette High School. The Flyers’ stalwart defense was spearheaded by senior defenders Jessica Earley and Dot Fife and senior goalie Loren White. All three served as the team’s captains.

The season was the most successful in the program’s history, barring a state title in the 80s, and the team broke several records and earned several awards. Coach Andrew Shipp said this year’s team won the most games, scored the most goals and hat tricks and obviously allowed the least amount of goals in Lindbergh history. Earley won Conference Player of the Year and several other players were named to First Team All-Conference.

The captains said the secret to success was communication and trust on defense — Earley and Fife played defense together for the past three seasons. The team was also able to train a lot more in the offseason compared to the COVID affected season in 2020.

“We did 7v7s with some other high schools in our area,” Earley said. “That really helped a lot of us build up team bonding.”

Fife said the communication on defense is where some of her favorite field hockey memories occurred and White said scoring two goals on her senior night was a highlight for her.

Shipp had never coached field hockey and the three captains had never played it before high school, all joining because a friend or relative was also trying out. They all played other sports beforehand, but began visiting training camps and practicing in the offseason. The work paid off, as both Earley and Fife are committed to Maryville to further their field hockey careers.