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# John Stark field hockey stays unbeaten, hands Portsmouth first loss (video)
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/john-stark-field-hockey-stays-unbeaten-hands-portsmouth-first-loss-video/
- Published: 2022-09-23T21:35:46.000Z
- Updated: 2022-09-23T21:35:46.000Z
- Description: PORTSMOUTH - The first goal is an important one in high school field hockey. Whether it was John Stark or Portsmouth who got it in Thursday's game, it would be a significant moment for the team that gave it up, as neither team had trailed yet this season going into the contest. Each side had only al
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division II, field hockey, John Stark, Portsmouth, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

PORTSMOUTH - The first goal is an important one in high school field hockey.

Whether it was John Stark or Portsmouth who got it in Thursday's game, it would be a significant moment for the team that gave it up, as neither team had trailed yet this season going into the contest. Each side had only allowed two goals all season.

So when the Generals found the back of cage midway through the second quarter, it put the Clippers in an unfamiliar spot. Although Portsmouth was able to battle back and tie the game in the fourth, John Stark answered with 3:30 remaining and held on for a 2-1 win.

Caylin Worthern scored both goals for the Generals (7-0, No. 7 in the NHHSSports Coaches Poll), with the game-winner coming on John Stark's only penalty corner of the second half. Jillian Fredette and Hailey Brisson each had an assist and Edie Fischer made 12 saves.

"I thought our team played arguably the best game that John Stark field hockey has ever played," John Stark coach Dennis Pelletier said. "That’s an amazing team we were just able to squeak a game out against. They’re the defending champs, they’re loaded with seniors.

"We’re deep, we’re strong at every position and that’s how come we can stay with these teams that are that good. They stayed in the game the whole game."

While Fischer came up with a handful of big saves, the defense got a strong performance from Jackie O'Donnell and Adie Bolduc, who helped hold a Portsmouth offense that was averaging five goals per game in check.

Sydney Moreau had the goal for the Clippers (8-1, No. 4), as she scored on a penalty corner with 6:19 remaining in the game to tie it 1-1\. Sophie Berling had the assist and Samara Buck made seven saves.

"We knew it was going to be tough coming into (Thursday)," Portsmouth coach Sara Carpenter said. "John Stark is a strong team. We knew this was going to be a test. You hope it’s going to be a great game and I think it was."

Portsmouth had a great chance to take the lead in the final minute of the first quarter, but Fischer came up with a pair of saves and the Clippers were unable to finish at an open net to keep it scoreless.

The Generals took the lead on Worthern's first goal with 8:35 to play until halftime.

"I think that was huge because I don’t think Portsmouth has been down all year," Pelletier said. "You could see they were a little rattled by it and you can’t blame them, they haven’t been in that situation. Neither have we, we haven’t been down all year either. I thought the first goal was paramount. I thought it was going to be a major factor."

Portsmouth started to dictate pace after that, continuing to push the ball into John Stark's end. The Clippers had two corners in the final six minutes of the half, but a shot by Mia Edwards went wide on the second one.

"That’s the first time we’ve had to play from behind all year, so it’s just a different mindset," Carpenter said. "Coming in at halftime, we know we have the ability to score, it’s just a matter of getting our heads back into the place where they need to be in order to go out and do that. To the team’s credit, they really worked to maintain focus and composure and play calm field hockey, instead of frantic field hockey."

The Clippers had three more corners in the third quarter, but couldn't capitalize.

Early in the fourth, Charlotte Marston had a breakout, and when Fischer came out to challenge, she sent the ball toward the far corner of the cage. But the ball was wide of the goal and a little too far out in front of Darla Mahoney, who was racing into the circle.

With about eight minutes remaining, Portsmouth had four corners in a row, and Moreau finally cashed in on the last one to tie the game.

"They’re just two dangerous on their corners," Pelletier said. "That’s how they score half their goals. It’s how we score more than half of ours and that’s how we scored the winning goal."

The second goal by Worthern came after it appeared as if Portsmouth was going to clear the circle. Instead, the ball came to the freshman on the left side and she put a shot in off a defender's stick to make it 2-1.

The Generals return home Monday for a game against Plymouth at 4 p.m., while the Clippers will travel to Souhegan for a 6 p.m. start on Tuesday.