Mascenic field hockey falls to Bishop Brady in quarterfinals
Published: 10-30-2024 1:03 PM |
Mascenic's field hockey odyssey was cut short Monday, as sixth-seeded Bishop Brady upset the third-seeded Vikings in the NHIAA Division III quarterfinals in New Ipswich,
"We knew they were going to be tough," Mascenic head coach Selena Shaw said after the Giants' 2-0 win. "They have a lot of playoff experience and they're always physical and they're always fast."
Bishop Brady (11-4-1), fresh off an opening-round win over Kearsarge, wasted no time getting on the board, scoring on a Kimble Rose shot less than halfway through the first period.
Mascenic (12-3), meanwhile, hadn't played a game since Oct. 18 thanks to their first-round bye.
"It felt like in the first quarter, we actually had some rust to shake off," Shaw said. "We just weren't at game speed, even though you do your best in practice."
The Vikings were able to create some opportunities, as Iris Traffie played with intensity along the sidelines and moved the ball ahead for senior captain Ella Keating. But Brady goalkeeper Ava Archambault rendered the Giants' net impenetrable, and the underdogs played with aggression and physicality.
"We got thrown off the ball a couple times, and then we started to kind of play back on our heels and play defensively when we needed to step up and be more aggressive,” Shaw said. “So I think it was their physicality that got to us."
Mascenic goaltender Evelyn Shippee played valiantly in net, but midway through the third, Madison Mundy punched in a rebound that gave Brady all the insurance they'd need.
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The Vikings called a timeout, regrouped and sent senior captains Keating and Lorelai Shippee back onto the field with renewed intensity. Mascenic pushed and pushed, earned a couple corners and took some close shots, but the Giants kept them at bay until time expired.
"Even though they were down in a tough spot, 0-2, they still believed in each other," Shaw said. "They still believed in the work that we've done this year, that we had the ability to do it. We just had to get out there and do it, and Brady just had enough to keep fending us off."
Mascenic's upset loss is a dark spot on an otherwise bright season. The Vikings lose just three seniors and had a number of underclassmen playing pivotal roles this year, which should set them up nicely for years to come.
"The youth is going to do us well over the next couple years," Shaw said. "We're going to grow every year, so it's hard for seniors, but for Mascenic field hockey, it's pretty exciting from here on out."
Division II girls’ soccer – Pembroke 2, ConVal 1 (Pembroke 3-2 in penalty kicks).
Division III girls’ soccer – Fall Mountain 2, Conant 0.
Division III girls’ volleyball – Moultonborough 3, Mascenic 2.