CHS field hockey reaches state semis in memorable tourney run
By Jay Turner
The CHS field hockey team went 3-1 during the postseason while outscoring opponents 18-3. (Mike Tureski photo)
A sensational 2024 season ended in brutal fashion for the Canton High field hockey team Tuesday night as the Bulldogs fell victim to a last-second goal against the top-seeded Norwood Mustangs in the Division 2 state semifinal.
For the fifth-seeded Bulldogs (19-3-0), it marked their second loss to the same Norwood team in a span of less than three weeks — both by a 3-2 final score.
The rematch, however, was especially heartbreaking, not only given the stakes but also the circumstances around which the game was decided.
Having built a 2-0 lead behind goals from their two best players and leading scorers — Shannon Lane and Carolyn Schiavo — the Canton girls appeared to be in prime position to pull off the upset, that is until Norwood senior standout Shea Larkee willed her team right back into the game with a pair of goals over the last two minutes of the third quarter.
Despite losing the lead, the Bulldogs did not lose any confidence or focus as they proceeded to play one of their finest quarters of the season, highlighted by several game-saving stops from the Canton defense. One play in particular — a perfectly timed mid-air deflection by freshman Ellie Young — was as clutch as it gets, but several other Canton players also stepped up in key moments to thwart the Norwood attack, including junior goalie Shealyn Murphy (14 saves) and senior defender Jules Gilchrist.
Senior Jasmine Findlen also made her share of plays and was one of the unsung heroes of the Bulldogs’ tournament run, according to head coach Chrissy O’Connor. “Jasmine’s been a very solid defender for us and has broken up a lot of plays, but she really came through in moments when we needed her,” said O’Connor.
The Canton coach also could not say enough good things about her two stars — especially Lane, who was a huge factor in all four of Canton’s playoff games and was one of the most prolific scorers in all of Division 2, combining for nine goals with a pair of hat tricks.
In their 6-1 quarterfinal victory over No. 13 Hopkinton, Lane led the Bulldogs’ second-half onslaught while also reaching two major milestones with her 50th goal of the season and her 100th career point.
O’Connor said that Lane, much like Schiavo, seemed to get better with every game, demonstrating a mix of skill and poise that is rarely seen in underclassmen.
“I’m so proud of how this entire team played all season,” O’Connor said after Tuesday night’s game. “It wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but we could not have asked for more of them.”
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Posted by Jay Turner
on Nov 14 2024. Filed under High School, Sports.
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