ConVal’s field hockey team is trending in the right direction after making a few positional shifts to increase the offense. And while the Cougars dropped their game against winless Merrimack Valley Monday afternoon, 3-1, the progress was evident on the field, as ConVal got off 21 shots on goal – by far their most offensive chances of the season.
“We’ve started getting comfortable with each other and getting used to knowing where each other will be so that they can keep it going up field and hopefully continue to get shots,” first-year coach Kelly Shirk said after Monday’s game.
Key to the Cougars’ offensive renovation is senior Natalie Tremblay, who moved to forward from defense and has brought her aggressive mentality to the offensive end.
“That has helped spark the rest of the offense to go with her upfield to get the opportunities,” Shirk said.
The move shifted Laramie Wilson back from midfield to defense, where she sets up shop in front of senior keeper Makenzie Anderson, and the two form a formidable defense.
“[Anderson] has just been solid and confident back there as a solid presence, helping support the defense and helping get the offense going upfield,” Shirk said.
Now at midfield, senior Molly Dishong patrols from end to end with limitless energy, putting the clamps on opposing forwards and bringing the heat offensively. Supplemented by speedy sophomores Ella Morris and Morgan Norby, Dishong and Makennah McPherson attacked the MV net over and over again, but aside from a Dishong goal that was called back, only Tremblay ended up breaking through.
ConVal (2-5) is at Hanover Saturday.
Kingswood 2, ConVal 0
The Cougars are licking their wounds after losing a winnable home contest against an improved Kingswood team Tuesday afternoon and falling to 3-5 on the year.
“On the day, [Kingswood] deserved to win, but…probably a game that we should win,” ConVal coach Josh Smith said, “and looking back, we’re going to feel like we should have – but we just didn’t do enough of the positive things. It just seemed like [Kingswood was] first to the 50/50 balls, they were first to challenges, and they played with a bit more urgency.”
Despite that, ConVal had numerous opportunities and led the game in shots on goal, but Knight goalie Caleb Russo was a wall, breaking up a promising header from Nate Pimental off a free kick in the first half and saving another header from Kendrick Edwards late in the second, with a couple of saves on point-blank rockets mixed in between.
Ethan Kinney and Bryson Boice made some positive plays in the midfield, and Jake Daniels put the pressure on Kingswood offensively late in the game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a first-half defensive breakdown that left ConVal keeper Zach Burgess in a two-on-one situation resulting in an easy cross goal.
“It’s just a little unlucky,” Smith said. But that’s the way things go – if you make mistakes or you make bad plays, you’re going to get hurt by that.”
Kingswood added a second goal on a header from a free kick; regardless, Burgess played a strong game between the pipes before coming out to join the offensive line in the second half and create some chances.
ConVal’s players will take a day to reevaluate their goals for the season and determine the best way to achieve them, coach Smith said, before readying for a road game at Pelham Saturday.
Mascenic 2, Trinity 1
The Vikings got a big win over recent playoff rival Trinity on Tuesday to improve to 2-4-1 on the year.
“Defense played beautifully,” coach Andy Helliesen said.
Blaine Krook scored on a throw-in from Joe Cocozella and Sean Agonis put one in the top right corner on a breakaway.
Freshman Lucas Leroux stepped in on defense for the injured Jack Cocozella and played huge at center back, Helliesen said. Two freshmen, Eli Barthelmess and Gabe Hileman, also played well on the outside defensive line.
The Vikings host Raymond Monday.
WLC still undefeated on the season
The Warriors trounced Pittsfield 6-0 on Friday and then won a squeaker against Concord Christian, 1-0, on Monday. At 6-0-1, WLC is unbeaten in Division IV with one tie against Division III Conant. As of press time, Gorham (7-0) and Epping (5-0) are the only teams in DIV with better records than WLC.
The Warriors host Newport Friday at 6:30 p.m.
ConVal 5, Kingswood 1
ConVal’s freshman class has been pouring it on over the past few games, and Tuesday was no exception, as Eliza Bull scored a hat-trick and Brooke Johnson scored another to help the Cougars get a 5-1 road win at Kingswood.
For the second straight game, ConVal was aided by an opposing own-goal.
The Cougars (2-4-1) are at Pelham Saturday.
WLC 3, Pittsfield 2
Wilton-Lyndeborough is nearly back at full strength after a rash of injuries, and the Warriors are getting closer to their potential.
“I’m excited to see what we will look like as a full team,” coach Kaelyn Theodoulou said.
WLC won their first game of the year last weak, beating Pittsfield 3-2 thanks to goals from Adri Bausha, Lexi Bausha and Emily Dubois, and stellar goaltending from Hiba Koudsi.
“Adri…is stepping up in a big way for us and leading the charge with scoring,” Theodoulou said.
The Warriors (1-4) were scheduled to host Holy Family Wednesday after press time and then host Newport Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Hopkinton 7, Conant 0
Hopkinton looks like the team to beat in Division III this season, Conant coach Adam Patria said, and the Hawks showed it Tuesday, shutting out an Oriole team down four senior starters.
“The girls played hard,” Patria said. “Couldn’t generate any offense.
Conant (2-6) is at Campbell Friday.