The Cougars took to the field on a beautiful Monday afternoon (Sept. 21, 2021). Old Saybrook came with an outstanding record(5-0) and a large number of players. Undeterred HK came out with a solid game plan and energy. The first quarter saw both teams using big drives to gain field position. At the end of one quarter the stats were dead even with 1 corner for HK and 1 for Old Saybrook.
Protecting the goal from a corner from left Audrey Wrinn, Kelsie Piela, Liv Wetteman and Kami Narducci help goalie Tea Norman.
The second quarter Old Saybrook began to wear the Cougars down with their hard hits and skilled ball handling. Eventually they were able to draw three corners which resulted in a 1-0 lead for the Rams. Unfazed HK rallied and managed to use a big hit up field and a mistake by the Old Saybrook Goalie to convert and tie the game at 1 each going into the halftime.
As HK predicted Old Saybrook came out on fire, unhappy that the Cougars had pinned them successfully on their left side and unable to stop our speedy forwards. The third quarter saw Old Saybrook draw 4 corners while HK had no corners. With 10 minutes left in the third Old Saybrook executed a perfect corner and went up 2-1.
Sophomore Jaimey DiNapoli chases down her opponent.
The fourth corner saw HK come out with a renewed confidence knowing they had 15 minutes to knot the game up. Again the HK team gave fits to the Old Saybrook players by beating them to the 50-50 balls. HK kept the ball out of the defensive end for long stretches, but was unable to convert the one corner in the fourth. Old Saybrook was determined to score again but was stopped time after time by our defensive unit. At one point the defensive unit stopped a sure goal (with a foot) awarding a penalty stroke to Old Saybrook. Goalie Tea Norman who is new to the position has never practiced penalty strokes. However, she was ready and the pressure was on the Old Saybrook player. Again the tide was on our side and Old Saybrook sent the penalty stroke wide, allowing us the free hit and a chance to advance the ball into our attacking zone. Never quitting and unwilling to allow any more goals HK held tight in the defensive circle.
Although we did not win this game, the girls played outstanding, sticking to the game plan and strategy. This is the third game in a row the girls have scored, and with each game they are getting stronger and stronger.
A solid defensive effort was once again put in by Tea Norman in cage with 7 saves. Audrey Wrinn managed to pick off several long hard hits by Old Saybrook and transition the ball to the forwards. Notching her first goal was Sophie Ramino off of a pass from Captain Kami Narducci. Olivia and Lexi Wettemann played a solid game keeping the ball in our attacking zone. Kelsie Piela again came up with several strong defensive stops along with Freshman Maddie Catalano. Overall the team as a unit played excellent field hockey vs a very strong team.
Next game at home on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 vs Westbrook/Old Lyme Co-op.
