This weekend marked the beginning of the winter sports seasons for the Big Green! Twelve teams competed over the weekend to post a 7-5-0 record. The Girls Varsity Basketball team earned a win in their home court scrimmage versus Canada Top Flight Academy and the Boys Varsity Hockey team defeated Groton, 3-1, in the Eaglebrook Barn. The Girls Hockey team fell to St. Mark’s team in a close 1-goal game. On the road, both boys and girls varsity swimming and diving were victorious over Milton Academy in the UMASS Boston pool. In Meriden, NH the Boys Varsity Basketball team lost to a talented KUA team. The varsity squash teams split this weekend with Hotchkiss; the boys lost on the road and the girls won a close game at home. Exciting things are ahead for winter teams!
You can read the coaches post-game write-ups below.
For complete team results, click HERE.
Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Canada Top Flight Academy: Win 52-42
In their first home court scrimmage of the season, the team defeated Canada Top Flight Academy, 52-42. During the scrimmage, the team saw contributions from all 11 of its members. Imani Kindness-Coleman led the scoring effort with 14 points, while Megan Graves did a fantastic job of limiting CTA’s top offensive threat.
Boys Varsity Hockey vs. Groton: Win 3-1
In the first game of the season, the Big Green opened the scoring in the 1st period when newcomer, Tomas Zourikian netted his first goal in green and white; the goal was assisted by another newcomer Matt Miron and captain Theo Lenz. The scoring continued in the second period when Cam Snow scored on a breakaway while on the penalty kill to double the lead and proved to the be the game winning goal. Mikey Holland added an insurance goal to end the 2nd period, assisted by Sasha Shogren and Milo DeFay. Entering the 3rd period, the score was 3-0 Deerfield. Groton got off to a quick start in the 3rd scoring only 2 minutes in, but their scoring ended there and the Big Green sealed their first win of the season, 3-1.
Girls Varsity Hockey vs. St. Mark’s: Loss 1-2
Deerfield Girls Varsity Hockey opened the season against St. Mark’s in our temporary home at Eaglebrook. Though the effort and heart was there from the get-go, our execution was lacking in all three zones. The second period was our best period, as the defense moved the puck quickly out of the zone and the forwards pressured hard down low. Aurora Devereaux ‘20 opened the scoring when she one-timed a pass from newcomer Elizabeth Hernberg ‘18 into the back of the net. We took our foot off of the gas pedal in the third period, and the visitors made us pay after we couldn’t clear the zone. With eight minutes to go, captain Meagan O’Brien ‘18 went down with a brutal injury, and, while shaken, the team was determined to find the winning goal for her. Though we had some good chances, it was St.Marks that found the winner with 20 seconds to go, and they hung on for the win. Liv Mikesell ‘20 was excellent in goal. Not the start we had hoped for, but this team has lots of potential, and we look forward to two good days of practice before taking on Loomis on Wednesday.
Boys Varsity Basketball @ KUA: Loss 56-74
Deerfield traveled to New Hampshire for an inter-class showdown with a fast and skilled Class-AA Kimball Union Squad. The Big Green kept the game close for three quarters behind the gutsy play of Nick Osarenren (18 points) and the inside presence of Bennett Pitcher (13 points). Sam Powell deftly managed the flow of our offense from the point guard position, finishing with 6 points, including two nifty floaters on dribble penetration in the second half.
Girls Swimming & Diving @ Milton: Win 95-75
The first dual meet included several good races. In the first event of the meet, the girls edged out their 200 Medley Relay by a hair. Ninth grader Taylor Coan won the 200 Freestyle event. Nikki Pelletier took the 200 IM with ease. Bailyn Prichett won with a commanding lead in the 500 free. Sophomore Nafi Sall won the 100 Breast for, as well. The team will take on Minnechaug on Wednesday, December 13th.
Boys Swimming & Diving @ Milton: Win 96-49
On Saturday, Boys Varsity Swimming traveled to UMass Boston for their first dual meet of the season against Milton Academy. With seven swimmers starting their careers at Deerfield, this meet provided an opportunity to see the potential in the team and practice good racing habits. The boys performed well and won 96-49. Notable performances in the 500 Free came from Owen Louis and Marwan Gideon Achi who swam best times, an impressive feat for the first competition of the season. The boys built a solid foundation for the months ahead and look forward to the next dual meet against Minnechaug High School at home on December 13th.
Girls Varsity Squash vs. Hotchkiss: Win 4-3
In their home opener, the varsity girls faced the bearcats from Hotchkiss. With co-captain Harbour Woodward still recovering from an injury, much of the Deerfield team had to play up a notch – and did so with poise and grace. The evens played the first round of matches. Junior Sasha Hinckley at #4 totally dominated her opponent and junior Emily Henderson at #6 showed her mental toughness with her 11-4, 15-13, 12-10 win. While Isabella Rolfe ‘21 improved with each game, she still fell to the accomplished Hotchkiss #2. In the second round of action, the odds took to the courts, and junior Soo-Min Lee won handily at the #5 spot. Junior Katie Parker at #7 won her first game before giving up the next three in a close match, and in her DA debut, Griffin Dewey played hard, scrambling after every ball, but she still lost to the skillful veteran Hotchkiss #3. The match score was 3-3 when co-captain Ashley Manning, playing #1, stepped onto the court for her fifth game against Hotchkiss’s senior co-captain, playing at the top spot for the bearcats for the fourth year in a row. In front of the large home crowd, Ashley went on the attack and with pinpoint accuracy executed a great come-from-behind victory, giving DA the 4-3 win.