Field hockey shows promise despite modest results
By Jay Turner
Senior captain Mary McNeil (#22) has been a stabilizing force in the middle for a young and improving Bulldog field hockey team. (Mike Barucci photo)
The growing pains continued for the CHS field hockey team last week as the Bulldogs earned a 1-1 draw against Oliver Ames and fell to Norwood 2-1.
The girls are still developing an identity after graduating nearly the entire starting lineup from last season; however, head coach Fior Griffin was encouraged by their performance last week despite only modest results. “I was a little nervous coming into the season after losing so many starters,” she said, “but I have now seen what they are capable of and I’m even more confident in what we can do going forward.”
Griffin was particularly encouraged by the play of the defense, including senior captain Jackie Martin, who has been a force through the first three weeks of the season, and junior Emily Rizzitano, who also saw time as a forward and made a nice hustle play against Norwood that nearly resulted in a goal. Other key contributors on the defensive end include Colleen Phelan, Annie Delello, and goalie Abbey Mitcheroney, who made several big saves in both games last week.
In the OA game last Tuesday, both teams came to play and the result was an evenly matched, well-officiated, high-intensity battle between two of the Davenport Division’s top teams. “It was a really good hockey game to watch,” said Griffin. “I was disappointed that we couldn’t come out with the win, but I was happy with the way we played.”
Canton finished with eight shots on net and four penalty corners, with the lone goal coming off the stick of junior Lindsey Nolte — her third of the season.
Against Norwood on Saturday, the Bulldogs bounced back from a sluggish opening half and tied the score at 1-1 on a rocket of a shot by Kelsey Trerice. Canton continued to control the action throughout the second half but came out on the losing end after Norwood capitalized on a fast break with eight minutes remaining.
Delello had a key defensive save in the game, and Mitcheroney made several big stops to help keep it a one-score game in the first half.
Griffin said the loss was disappointing, especially considering how well the team played after halftime. “I think it would have been a different outcome had we played [hard] the entire 60 minutes,” she said.
The Bulldogs (2-2-2) had a home game Monday against Stoughton and will return to action with three games next week: at Sharon September 29, at Attleboro October 1, and home versus Milford October 2.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=27011
Posted by Jay Turner
on Sep 25 2014. Filed under High School, Sports.
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