On a blustery day in November, Deerfield GVS traveled to Lakeville to face the Hotchkiss Bearcats in a Sunday contest.
The Big Green held Hotchkiss scoreless for most of the first half, finding success neutralizing their attack through compressing the space on defense and stepping to win balls in the air. DA’s own offense took control of the midfield early, attacking on the dribble and passing around their center midfielders. The Bearcats’ speed in the back made it difficult to get a shot on goal. Deerfield keeper, Molly Fischer ‘20 made several quality saves throughout the half, coming off of their line with speed to cut off passes. In the last five minutes of the half, Hotchkiss capitalized on a quick switch of play on the 18 yard box to put a shot in the back of the net.
The second half saw more hard work across the field as DA and Hotchkiss fought for control of the ball. Big Green’s back line – Haley Sundstrom ‘21, Emma Visnapuu ‘21, and Lilly Berry ‘21 – kept the Bearcats at bay, clearing crosses and stepping to intercept passes. Deerfield did a great job throughout the half finding midfielders like Angie Rey ‘21 bombing forward on the attack or dishing it out to the wings to get a cross in. On a Hotchkiss drive partway into the second half, one of their forwards found space on the top of the box and put one past the DA keeper to make the score 2-0. The Bearcats scored once more before the final whistle to make the score 3-0.
With two games left in the regular season, Deerfield will make their final trip on the road to Wilbraham Monson on Wednesday for a 3:00pm contest. Go Big Green!