Concord field hockey scores early in each half to beat Windham (video)

WINDHAM - Emma Beaujouan was just looking to send a shot toward the goal.

So when the Concord High School field hockey junior found herself in the circle with the ball, she wasted no time taking a shot.

The ball made its way into the back of the cage to give the Crimson Tide the lead and Concord would add another goal to start the second half before holding off Windham down the stretch for a 2-0 win over the Jaguars in a Division I game.

It's the first time the Jaguars have been held scoreless in over two years and a span of 34 games, and it was Concord's first win against Windham since it moved up to D1 before the 2018 season.

Malena Caceres also scored for the Crimson Tide (9-4) while Kayla Taylor had an assist and Rhyden Wheldon made six saves.

But it was the opening goal by Beaujoun, which came with 9:03 remaining in the first quarter, that gave Concord early momentum.

"I saw an opportunity to take it into the circle, and as we’ve practiced over and over, you get in and you take that shot," Beaujouan said. "I got into the circle and took a quick shot and it went right through the goalie. We’ve always practiced, right off the bat, we want to get in and score. I was set up with that opportunity.

"It definitely set the tone for the game. I think it gives us the mindset that we can win the game if we keep trying and putting that same effort forward. We had to step back and realize that the game’s not over and we still have to fight for the win."

Windham (10-2-1) finished the game with 14 penalty corners, including one with no time left in the first quarter that Wheldon made a save on to keep Concord up 1-0. The Jaguars had five corners in the second quarter, but the Crimson Tide held and took the one-goal lead into the break.

"It’s Windham, I knew this game was not over until the clock ran out," Concord coach Nicole Armaganian said. "It was very important for us to keep our heads about us. We relayed that the game is not over. We knew they were going to come out extra hard, so it was important to remember that we had an entire half to play."

Concord took the halftime message to heart, getting a corner in the opening minutes. The ball moved around the circle and came back to Kayla Taylor, who sent a shot across the front of the goal.

Caceres was waiting on the opposite side and was able to backhand the ball into the cage to make it 2-0 just 2:16 into the second half.

"As soon as any team scores, the momentum shifts to them, and then the other team has to play catchup just to tie it," Windham coach Katie Blair said. "I have faith in my girls, no matter the differential, that we can still come back from it.

"We started to play better, but we didn’t play as well as we could have. I felt like we were working toward our normal selves. No coach likes to be down, especially down two goals, but until that clock hits zero, I believe in my team."

The Jaguars had opportunities over the rest of the game, getting a five corners in the final quarter, but either the Crimson Tide were able to make a play on defense or Windham was unable to capitalize. Concord also kept play out in the middle of the field for long stretches.

"I think toward the end of the game, we had a fire lit under us," Windham senior Amy Lanouette said. "Obviously, we want to play with that first the whole game, but I think toward the end it set in. We had some great opportunities, we had some great ball movement, we were working as a team, but I think some of those things have to happen earlier."