Senior captain Sam Gacioch and senior Abby Parella each netted a hat trick as the Tiverton field hockey team crushed St. Mary Academy-Bay View 7-0 in the home opener on Thursday evening. The win evens the Tigers record at 1-1 in Division II as the team lost to the Lincoln School last Tuesday. 

Sophomore Lila Reimels added to the carnage as she netted her first career goal. Co-captain Cassie Tabor, Gacioch and Emily Mello each recorded an assist for the Tigers. Goalkeeper Rachel Leonard received the shut out without actually having to make a save as the Tiverton offense kept on the attack for most of the game. 

“Our strength as a team right now is having that team unity and team chemistry that sometimes it takes teams a long time to develop,” said new head coach Mikella DaSilva who replaced long time coach Lauren Tavares. “It is definitely making this whole journey easy so far as a first-year coach.”

Coach DaSilva a Fall River resident and assistant coach Hannah Steen have played field hockey together since playing at Morton Middle School. The friends have played together through high school at Durfee High and college at UMASS Dartmouth, up until their last season in Fall 2021. 

“I thought of myself as a leader on and off the field,” said Coach DaSilva about wanting to stay in the game. “I wanted to continue to grow my love for the sport through younger athletes. I knew I couldn’t stay away from the game for too long and this opportunity presented itself.” 

Tiverton’s strength is their senior offensive attack with center forward Cassie Tabor, left forward Abby Parella, center midfielder Samantha Gacioch. “Our offensive attack is filtered through our upperclassmen who have taken charge and are commanding the offensive mostly made up of underclassmen,” said Coach DaSilva.  

“Samantha is the heart of the team,” she said. “They kind of move and groove through her.”

Gacioch is tall and intimidating. She plays physical both on offense and defense and has a heavy shot.

Tabor leads through her hard-nosed play and is a vocal leader according to DaSilva. 

Parella has sick stick skills and can put the ball in the net. 

Underclassmen learning the ropes

The team graduated a number of seniors and it was necessary to start underclassmen that played junior varsity last season and are learning the ropes at the varsity level. 

“It’s really only their first or second year playing field hockey and now they’re starting varsity just because of our limited numbers,” said Coach DaSilva. “We are continuing to learn game sense and how to play at a varsity level. The girls are coming in with an open mind and keeping up with it so that’s honestly very exciting.” 

“I am very confident this year,” said Coach DaSilva. “As long as we can get over that obstacle and those hurdles, and grow more as a team, I have high hopes for the season and nothing but positive hopes for everything.”