Caraghan Wartel of the South Hadley field hockey team has been named the Gazette’s Athlete of the Month for October.
Wartel backboned the Tigers to a 9-1-1 record this month, including an appearance in the Western Mass. Class B championship.
The senior captain switched positions earlier this month from forward to goalie following an injury to South Hadley’s starter at the end of September.
In six games, prior to the Class B tilt, Wartel accumulated a 0.929 save percentage.
“Her leadership and impact for the team have been a critical part of our success through October,” Tigers head coach Nicole Casolari said. “Her teammates and I have so much confidence in her, from scoring goals to stopping goals.”
South Hadley slotted in at No. 13 in the latest MIAA power rankings in Div. 4.