Kennett field hockey makes limited chances hold up to beat Souhegan in D2 final (video)

NORTH CONWAY - Penalty strokes are the one thing the Kennett Regional High School field hockey team doesn't spend much time practicing.

Eagles coach Cassandra Johansen can't remember the last time her team was awarded one during a game. Despite that, she knew exactly who to call upon when the time was right.

Kathryn Hawkes scored twice on a penalty stroke for Kennett, and the Eagles made those two goals hold up, as they defeated Souhegan 2-0 in Sunday's Division II field hockey championship. The win gives Kennett (12-0) its first title since 2010 and the second in program history.

"We don’t practice them because they’re not really a thing anymore," Johansen said. "The fact there was two was crazy. We haven’t any all season. (Hawkes) has such accuracy. She can do it under pressure and she is very accurate. She can do it and she did.”

Hawkes twice beat Souhegan goalie Annie Raduazzo to her left, with the first goal coming just 2:20 into the second quarter after the Sabers had dominated possesion for the first 15 minutes. Souhegan came roaring out at the start and had four penalty corners in the opening quarter; the Sabers finished with 11 total.

But despite all that time in the circle, Souhegan (12-1) wasn't able to put a shot on goal.

"That’s kind of been one thing that’s kind of plagued us this year, getting a ton of chances and missing that one something to put it away," Souhegan coach Kelli Braley said. "I don’t think the travel was a factor in it. Playing on grass always kind of gets in our head a little bit, but I felt like they were ready for this one, they felt like they were ready for this one. It just didn’t fall our way."

Kennett's offense was also unable to put a shot on goal, aside from the two penalty strokes, but the Eagles defense stood strong throughout, led by senior Maddie Stewart and freshman goalie Madison Walcott.

"We knew they were an aggressive team and the girls came out so well," Johansen said. "At the beginning of the game, we played with a defensive mindset and I told them they needed an offensive mindset now. Our defense played outstanding and kept us in the game. The amount of corners they had, and the way we played and defended it was awesome."

Early in the second quarter, the Eagles got their first chance on offense, entering the circle with a two-on-one. Souhegan's Margot Manz got back to defend, but officials determined she impeded the path to the goal and awarded Kennett a penalty stroke.

"The first one, the way Margot played that, I wouldn’t change it," Braley said. "I’d rather take my chance on a stroke than on a two-on-one on a goalie any day."

Hawkes made it 1-0 by putting the ball just inside the post and far enough away for Raduazzo to reach. Souhegan was able to regroup, and had two more corners late in the half, but couldn't capitalize.

"We haven’t played from behind at all," Braley said. "That’s a tough thing when you don’t have that practice going into it. I don’t think they collectively deflated. I think they got fired up. We had a lot of time left."

Souhegan got off to a strong start in the third quarter, but again, Kennett's defense was up to the task. The Sabers had four more corners, one of which ended with a shot by Catie Summers hitting off the crossbar.

"They’re going to come out aggressive and wanting to score," Johansen said. "You need to be prepared for that."

Kennett was able to get the ball in the offensive end a little more in the fourth quarter and the Eagles had their three corners back-to-back-to-back with under six minutes to play. After the third one, Kennett was awarded another stroke and Hawkes delivered again with 4:42 remaining.

The Sabers got a final corner in the closing seconds of the game, but time ran out before they could set it up, and with Kennett up by two goals, the game was over. The Eagles mobbed Walcott in the goal before rushing to the sideline to celebrate.