Field Hockey Player of the Week: Ella Sturm

Tradition.

Not every team has it.

One of the teams that do? The Iroquois Lady Chiefs.

Iroquois has long been a perennial contender in Western New York Field Hockey. Over the last five years they’ve won nearly 85% of their contests (81-10-5) and continually enter the Sectional Tournament as the favorite.

That is no different tonight as Iroquois prepares to take on Pioneer in the Section VI Class B Field Hockey Championship Game.

When they step on the field, they’ll be led by this week’s Field Hockey Player of the Week: Ella Sturm.

When asked his thoughts about Ella, Iroquois Head Coach Pete Tonsoline was clear that he holds his Senior co-captain in high regard.

“Ella’s inspired leadership and unselfish play has elevated a young team to an ECIC lll Divisional crown and into the Class B Sectional Championship,” said Tonsoline.

A mainstay on the Lady Chiefs offense, Ella has come through for her team in some of the biggest moments of the season.

Last week’s semi-final contest with Williamsville East saw Iroquois jump out to an early 2-goal lead. With momentum heavily swung in their favor and dominating play in the offensive zone, it looked as if the game was about to get out of hand and be over by halftime.

However, a resilient Williamsville East team battled back and netted two quick goals of their own to force Iroquois into a make-or-break situation.

With momentum clearly up against her team, Ella stepped up and scored the go-ahead goal that would ultimately send her team to the championship game.

Leaders step up in the biggest moments, and with their entire season on the line, Ella did just that for her team.

The Iroquois tradition lives on.