Linda Koehler has spent the greater part of the last 20 years grooming young field hockey talent in Pelham.

After helping develop a generally successful high school program between 1987 and 1998, she spent 2004 through 2006 mentoring at the middle school, where she led several current Lady Pythons to two first-place finishes and a runners-up trophy.

In 2007, Koehler returned as an assistant at the high school, and this year she once again took the reins of the program, which hasn’t won more than a handful of games the last several seasons. Her aims are simple.

“Our first goal is to love playing field hockey again. Our second is to start winning some games, and then we want to finish it off by making a playoff appearance,” she said. “I know these girls, and you’re looking at girls somewhere along the line that obviously knew how to play.”

So when the Lady Pythons were getting off the bus prior to their road contest at John Stark on Sept. 24, Koehler’s advice was simple: Play like you’re behind three goals.

“They always play better in the second half, and I wanted to show them that if they come out with that same type of intensity, it’s a lot easier to hold the lead than to come from behind,” she said.

Sure enough, Pelham scored first when sophomore Kelsi Lynde connected with fellow midfielder Chelsea I’Anson, who planted the ball in the back of the net. In the second half, Lynde and Emily Koehler each notched tallies and the Lady Pythons cruised to a 3-1 triumph, their second of the season. Goalies Alexandra Catalano and Monique Fournier combined for the victory in net.

The win, of course, was a step forward. Now, Koehler said her players are ready to take some long strides, hopefully picking up enough momentum to reach the postseason.

“I think if you look at our season and you look at our schedule – we spent a lot of time on the road and played some historically strong teams – and … I was told we played great out there,” said Koehler. “My girls can play. They can’t necessarily always score, but they can play. More importantly, they’re happy, and now they’re starting to learn how to win.”