Field Hockey Notebook: After tough start to season, Dover making a push toward playoffs
In a season dominated by top-tier teams, the Dover High School field hockey team is making some noise. While all eyes were on last week’s battle of potentially-undefeated teams between Pinkerton and Bishop Guertin, the Green Wave (5-3-2) spoiled the fun. Dover headed to Pinkerton last Monday, and sh
In a season dominated by top-tier teams, the Dover High School field hockey team is making some noise.
While all eyes were on last week’s battle of potentially-undefeated teams between Pinkerton and Bishop Guertin, the Green Wave (5-3-2) spoiled the fun.
Dover headed to Pinkerton last Monday, and shocked the Astros with a 1-0 victory, shaking up the balance at the top of the state.
“We were at Pinkerton, and any time you’re on the road, you worry a bit about making sure the girls aren’t tired,” said Green Wave coach Sarah Richards. “It’s just more difficult playing away from home. But from the start, they were ready to go.”
Just 10 minutes into the contest, senior captain Lizzy Morse drew a penalty stroke, and put it in to give the Green Wave a 1-0 advantage.
Turns out, that’s all they needed to knock off the No. 1 team in the state.
“After 10 minutes and we’re up 1-0, I can’t say I was surprised, but they’re a powerhouse,” said Richards. “After that, they fought hard and we held them. Every kid stepped up and weren’t in fear of them.”
That win was the second in a three-game winning streak for the Green Wave. Morse has led the charge as the team’s top scorer, and behind her is another senior, Emily Lopez. A freshman, Jess Coucher, has also had a strong campaign doing well to draw corners in the circle.
In the crease, the second-year coach Richards is thrilled with her senior keeper Allison Duranceau. Each of the team’s losses this year have been 1-0, with Duranceau keeping the Green Wave in each game.
All of those defeats are to the likes of top five teams such as Winnacunnet, Timberlane and Bishop Guertin, all early in the season. Those challenges came in handy when the Green Wave finally pulled out that victory against Pinkerton.
“It really started out with some hard games,” said Richards. “We want to start with them because it tests the program. It helps us learn our weaknesses and what to work on. We started out as a team kind of unsure, but we worked out the kinks and bounced back.”
Dover started the season 0-2-2 with losses to Winnacunnet and BG, but also tied with D1 title contender Manchester Central and battled to a 2-2 tie with Keene. After that, the team rebounded with two resounding wins against Manchester Memorial and Nashua North before another tight loss to Timberlane.
Since that loss, however, the Green Wave have taken off. Three straight victories over Bedford, Pinkerton and Exeter, all solid teams, have Dover feeling good about itself heading into the stretch run.
The test ahead won’t be easy in the final four games; a game against Londonderry at home and two on the road at Merrimack and Salem stand out.
But if anyone is battle tested, its the Green Wave.
“We get the little things done, day by day,” said Richards. “Any game is winnable any day, it’s just who wants it more. They can win any game.”
Players of the Week
- Annie Kew, Manchester Central: In a 7-1 victory over Manchester Memorial last week, Kew added another hat trick to her season.
- Khaliyah Ellis, Pinkerton: The goalie had a solid week as she shut down Bishop Guertin on Wednesday and also had seven saves against Londonderry last week.
- Alex Page, Goffstown: In a 3-1 win over Merrimack Valley, Page scored twice to lead her 5-5 Grizzlies.
Games to Watch
- Souhegan (9-1) at Milford (5-4-1), Monday, 4 p.m. The Sabers have had a stellar year other than one hiccup at home, while the Spartans started off strong and fell off. This rivalry game is always worth watching, and Milford holds serve at home.
- Hanover (7-2-1) at Derryfield (8-0-2), Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.: After playing to a 0-0 tie last week, these teams faceoff again. Hanover has had a strong run of late, and Derryfield hasn’t lost a game all season.
- Pinkerton (9-1) at Timberlane (8-1), Wednesday, 4 p.m.: The Astros responded to their loss last week with a dominant performance at Bishop Guertin. Timberlane is another one of the top teams in the state, so it’ll be another statement game.
- Salem (6-4) at Bishop Guertin (9-1), Wednesday, 4 p.m.: The Cardinals face another strong opponent as they try to rebound from their loss to Timberlane. Salem, meanwhile, has won two in a row and have had a decent season itself.
Top 15
- Pinkerton (9-1, 1st)
- Bishop Guertin (9-1, 3rd)
- Derryfield (8-0-2, 2nd)
- Winnacunnet (9-1, 4th)
- Timberlane (8-1, 5th)
- Windham (8-1, 6th)
- Souhegan (9-1, 7th)
- Gilford (10-1-1, 8th)
- Hanover (7-2-1, 15th)
- Pelham (10-0, 11th)
- Dover (5-3-2, NR)
- Kennett (6-4, 10th)
- Londonderry (5-4, 13th)
- Manchester Central (4-3-2, 9th)
- Salem (6-4, NR)
