Field hockey still unbeaten despite setback at Foxboro

Senior Haley Gaughan is third in the Hock in scoring. (Mike Barucci photo)

It was a mix of highs and lows for the CHS field hockey team last week as the Bulldogs added three wins — all shutouts — to their already impressive resume; however, they also had their perfect record tarnished with a disappointing 2-2 draw against Foxboro on Tuesday.

Earlier in the season, Canton had beaten the Warriors 6-0 at home, and they came into last week’s meeting as winners of 12 straight, including a 4-0 victory the night before over Nipmuc Regional.

But despite their status as heavy favorites, the Bulldogs got off to a slow start and found themselves down 2-0 early in the second half.

“I think the girls kind of relaxed,” admitted head coach Fior Griffin after the game. “We didn’t make the adjustment from turf to grass really well and we didn’t do a good job stopping the big hits.”

Fortunately, the Bulldogs were able to bounce back down the stretch, scoring two late goals to salvage a tie.

While hardly satisfied with the result, Griffin felt the game could serve as a wake-up call heading into the postseason. And perhaps it was just a coincidence, but the girls certainly looked more motivated on Thursday against Oliver Ames.

After taking a 1-0 lead into halftime, the Bulldogs lit up the Tigers for five straight goals in the second half, including three goals in a three-minute span. Senior captain Cady Kelly led the way with two goals, while Meghan McKenna, Kellie Stigas, Michelle McNeil, and Emma Compagna each chipped in with one apiece.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs looked equally sharp on Saturday at nonleague Westborough. The game was scoreless at the half, but the visitors stepped up with back-to-back goals — one by McNeil and one by Haley Gaughan. Solid team defense, particularly in their attacking end, helped seal the 2-0 win.

Earlier in the week, Canton celebrated Senior Night with a win over Nipmuc, and fittingly, all four goals were scored by seniors — two by McNeil and one each by Kelly and Becky Lazaro.

Every senior had a hand in the win, including Compagna, Stephanie Rizzitano, Kolleen White, Gina Nicolas, and Michelle Bigot.

This week, the Bulldogs were due to wrap up regular season play with a pair of road games: at Stoughton on Monday and at Franklin for the Hockomock Classic Cup on Wednesday.

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