Bishop Guertin field hockey keeps pushing in win over Pinkerton (video)

NASHUA - Dakota Bilodeau thinks this year's Bishop Guertin High School field hockey team might be a little different than many previous ones.

The first-year head coach just needs to look at Saturday's game-winning goal to see that.

Moments after giving up the tying score early in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals pushed on, getting the ball into Pinkerton's defensive circle. When a rebound bounced toward Skylar Naftali, she didn't hesitate putting it into the back of the cage, just 30 seconds after the Astros knotted the game.

Bishop Guertin made that tally stand up, despite some pressure from Pinkerton in the final 11-plus minutes, and the Cardinals held on for a 2-1 win in a Division I game at Stellos Stadium.

"These kids are gritty, they’re relentless and they want it," Bilodeau said. "I would say this is a really special team, and I’ve been lucky to be a part of it as a player and a coach, and I don’t know if it’s something that BG field hockey has ever had, a team like this. I’m excited."

Naftali scored with 11:59 remaining in the game and Addison Daddona had Bishop Guertin's opening goal with 12:53 remaining in the second quarter. Taylor Guibord had an assist on both scores and sophomore goalie Ayla Saeturn made seven saves, most of them coming in bunches for the Cardinals (4-2).

"The goalie was fantastic," Pinkerton coach Katie Littlefield said. "I think they’re good with their details in the circle, with protecting their feet. They did a fantastic job as a team defensively. They’re team defense was fantastic as well as their goalkeeping. We were close a couple of times."

Izzy Murphy had the lone goal for the Astros (4-2-1, No. 6 in the NHHSSports Coaches Poll), scoring on a penalty corner with 12:28 left in the fourth quarter.

Elise LeBlanc finished with 13 saves for Pinkerton, but right after the Astros scored, the Cardinals sent the ball toward the goal from outside of the circle. LeBlanc stopped the ball with her pads, but the shot was so hard, the rebound came off far enough that Naftali was able to put it in to give Bishop Guertin the lead right back.

"It definitely took the wind out of our sails a little bit, but it’s something we learn from," Littlefield said. "It was one of the details, the mistakes, the ball was outside the circle anyways, just let it in instead of stopping it. But you move on and we had a great push at the end. It was unfortunate, but I’m still proud of how the team played and bounced back."

The Astros had a couple of corners right after the goal, but Saeturn was able to turn Pinkerton away. The Cardinals responded with some corners of their own, but LeBlanc and the Astros' defense remained stout.

Pinkerton had one more chance, getting a corner in the final minute, but Saeturn was there again to help preserve the win for Bishop Guertin.

"We knew they were going to come out hot," Bilodeau said. "They have strong corners and we knew the defense we had to play. (Saeturn) definitely a bit part of our defense. She’s only a sophomore and we’re lucky to have her."