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# Dover field hockey overcomes slow start to beat Nashua South
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/dover-field-hockey-overcomes-slow-start-to-beat-nashua-south/
- Published: 2019-09-17T13:23:38.000Z
- Updated: 2019-09-17T13:23:38.000Z
- Description: NASHUA - Maybe it was a case of the Mondays or maybe it was playing on turf for the first time this season. Or maybe it was facing a goalie on a hot streak or maybe it was a combination of all those things. Whatever it was, the Dover High School field hockey team was unable to capitalize on early op
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, Dover, field hockey, Nashua South, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

NASHUA - Maybe it was a case of the Mondays or maybe it was playing on turf for the first time this season.

Or maybe it was facing a goalie on a hot streak or maybe it was a combination of all those things.

Whatever it was, the Dover High School field hockey team was unable to capitalize on early opportunities against Nashua South. The Green Wave had 12 corners and had nine shots turned away by Panthers goalie Courtney Tello in the first half but the game remained scoreless.

Finally, in the last two minutes of the half, Jess Couture broke the tie to give Dover a 1-0 lead at halftime and Jeannine Turgeon provided some breathing room in the second half Monday as the Green Wave beat the Panthers 2-0 in a Division I game at Stellos Stadium.

"I don’t think this was our strongest game," Dover coach Sarah Richards said. "I don’t know if it was the heat that played a factor or the fact that we didn’t have a practice over the weekend. I think Monday games can sometimes be tough.

"I’m proud of them that we were able to battle through even though we weren’t playing our best. They were able to battle through and put a few in to solidify the win and they didn’t let any in, so that was good."

Couture scored with 1:40 left in the opening half, as she was able to maneuver around Tello (16 saves) and slip the ball into the goal for Dover (3-1). South (0-3) almost came right back and tied it in the final 30 seconds, as Kirsten McIntire sent the ball across the front of the goal, but Christina Menke couldn't get a stick on it before the ball went out.

The Panthers had chance to take the lead earlier in the half, getting a shot elevated on the net, but Dover goalie Kylie Nelson-Marois was able to make the save, one of four for her on the day.

"I was really pleased with the way they played," South coach Ciki McIntire said. "It’s all stuff we’ve been working on, so I just think they’re not quite there yet. I’m really happy with the fact that they’re trying to implement some of the things we’re working on in practice. I thought they played really well together as a team. They’re seeing each other well, I just think we had some bad luck on some shots."

South got its lone corner of the game in the opening minutes of the second half, but couldn't get a shot off.

After getting turned away by Tello for most of the first half, the Green Wave talked at halftime about varying their shots. Turgeon was able to do that on Dover's second goal, weaving through the South defense and into the circle before getting some elevation on a shot that found the back of the goal.

"We were telling them to mix up the shots," Richards said. "If the lower ones aren’t working, then try to get it high. Jeannine has a great shot, so she was able to do that."

After South allowed four goals in each of the first two games, McIntire felt that the defensive performance, led by Tello, was improved against Dover.

"It was probably the best she has played," the coach said. "She is unbelievable back there. She’s a leader and I expect that from her every game. It’s taken a couple of games for her to get that voice back there and take that leadership role. She was on fire and I thought the defense was playing really well."

Both teams are on the road at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, as Dover travels to Exeter and South goes to Timberlane.