Canton High field hockey team starts strong despite big adjustments
By Jay Turner
Senior captain Maria Femia made plays all over the field in back-to-back wins against Stoughton last week. (Mike Tureski photo)
Loaded with talent and experience but forced to adjust to a brand-new style of play due to COVID modifications, the CHS field hockey team still managed to look sharp right out of the gate in back-to-back wins over Hockomock Davenport foe Stoughton last week.
“It was a strong start to the season and I thought they looked good out there,” remarked an upbeat coach Chrissy O’Connor after the home-and-home sweep.
While the Bulldogs were heavy favorites — they returned most of their starters from last year’s Davenport title-winning squad — O’Connor said it’s still a big adjustment to go from playing 11-on-11 to this year’s modified 7-on-7 format. There are also no penalty corners this year as well as no “bullies” (faceoffs off non-goal restarts), and all players have to wear masks throughout the game.
“It’s a huge modification for us,” acknowledged O’Connor. “Just the physical aspect of [7-on-7] changes the whole game, but we’re adapting to it and we’re just happy to be able to be out there and to have a season.”
While there are fewer players on the field, O’Connor said the new format requires more substitutions, which opens up playing opportunities. In last week’s games she was able to get everyone on the field, and the Bulldogs remained in control throughout both matches en route to wins of 7-1 and 5-0.
Leading the way in the victories were seniors Maria Femia and Meghan LaBelle, who combined for more than half of the team’s goals (5 for Femia and 3 for LaBelle). Junior Erin Lane added a goal in both contests while junior Sarah Cunningham and sophomore Ellie Bohane notched one apiece.
The Bulldogs also return an outstanding defensive corps led by senior goalie Riley O’Connor along with seniors Allie Gefteas and Lizzie Tassinari and junior Carly Fitzgerald.
O’Connor said there has been talk of a postseason tournament, perhaps on a league level, but even in this shortened fall season the Canton squad has to be considered among the favorites after returning most of the top talent from last year’s 12-1-3 squad.
Most importantly, O’Connor said everyone is just thrilled to be playing and she is especially happy for the team’s nine seniors that they are able to have a season.
[The rule changes] are definitely challenging, but we’re trying to make the most of it,” she said. “We’ll continue to adapt and make the necessary changes and be as competitive as we possibly can while doing it.”
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=70510
Posted by Jay Turner
on Oct 16 2020. Filed under High School, Sports.
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