The Deerfield 3rds field hockey team took on a strong and aggressive Westy team on Wednesday. Due to low numbers on both sides, the teams agreed to play with less players on the field, so both teams got a great workout. The first half saw momentum from both teams. Westminster particularly showed strong sticks skills and powerful hits in the midfield. Deerfield took a while to get their rhythm, but when they did, they began to generate some wonderful passing combinations. Forwards Coco de Vink ’22, Lauren Mitchell ’22 and tri-captain Kate Stenger ’22 did a fabulous job of avoiding Westy defenders and moving the ball upfield to the scoring circle. This week, we had been working on shooting and lifting the ball towards goal specifically, so it was fantastic to see tri-captain Lauren Stenger ’22 use what she had learned and score the first goal of the game by lifting the ball over the goalkeeper’s kickers.
The second half saw more scoring chances by both teams. The Deerfield defensive unit of Tioba Akinjaiyeju ’23, Samantha Pehl ’23, Mary Blake Zeron ’21 and goalkeeper Ashley LaBrucherie ’23 kept Westy scoreless. Deerfield picked up their momentum late in the game and made the score 2-0 when tri-captain Zeron ’21 made a beautiful back pass to Coco de Vink ’22 who ripped her shot to the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
All in all, an exciting game between to well-matched teams. Up next, the Big Green travel to Amherst for a 4:30 game.