by Tessa Dinnie
Despite a bleak first half, the girls varsity field hockey team beat Maynard 1-0 on Monday. The Hawks struggled offensively with just 6 shots on net and 2 offensive corners but not a single goal. The shots on net were taken with great hope that the Hawks would get a goal, but no such luck happened.
But the Hawks took the game away from Maynard when senior captain Cassandra Chaves scored the first goal of the game with an assist from junior Hannah Kennedy 6 minutes into the second half. The Hawks kept the 1 goal lead for the rest of the game leading them to a much needed win.
Senior goalie Michelle Chiasson had 6 total saves during the game and lead the defensive line in a total of 5 corners. She was on high alert for the entire game and had great saves that kept the Hawks on top.
“I’m happy that they were able to find their intensity and were able to finish strong, but I would like to be able to start and finish the game that way,” says Coach Jen Wallingford who has coached the varsity field hockey team for the past 3 years.
The Hawks had 9 shots on goal and Maynard had 0. Seniors Cassandra Chaves and Sofia Fillipi, juniors Sarah Billings and Hannah Kennedy, and sophomore Gaelyn Donoghue all had 2 shots on net during the game.
Last season, the field hockey team made it to Districts only to lose in the first game. They hope to make Districts again this year.
“It is not out of the question; we still have 11 games left,” says Wallingford, “and we would need to win 6 of them.”
The team feels good about their playoff chances. “I think we are working really hard,” says senior captain Andrea Fahey, “in order to hopefully make it to Districts.”
