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# Souhegan field hockey able to hold off Derryfield for win (video)
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/souhegan-field-hockey-able-to-hold-off-derryfield-for-win-video/
- Published: 2021-10-06T16:20:23.000Z
- Updated: 2021-10-06T16:20:23.000Z
- Description: AMHERST - Senior nights typically bring out a range of emotions, and Tuesday night was no different for the Souhegan High School field hockey team. But those feelings weren't just limited to the pregame ceremony for the Sabers. Souhegan had a two-goal lead early in the second half - certainly a caus
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division II, Derryfield, field hockey, slider, Souhegan, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

AMHERST - Senior nights typically bring out a range of emotions, and Tuesday night was no different for the Souhegan High School field hockey team.

But those feelings weren't just limited to the pregame ceremony for the Sabers.

Souhegan had a two-goal lead early in the second half - certainly a cause for excitement - but Derryfield turned that into concern moments later by cutting the lead in half. The Sabers were able to regroup, withstand some challenges by the Cougars and hang on for a 2-1 victory in a Division II contest.

"Senior night is always a tough one, you never really know what to expect," Souhegan coach Kelli Braley said. "We have basically a whole field of seniors to put out there. I thought they did great to start the game. It was awesome to have a crowd here, they were definitely behind them. That was really nice and it gave them a little bit of energy."

Annika Madeja and Tatum Zampella each had a goal for the Sabers (9-1-1) while Mia Chorney and Ella Barrett had an assist apiece and Annie Raduazzo made 10 saves, including a handful during a scrum in front of the Souhegan goal during the second quarter.

The Sabers finished with 14 penalty corners, getting Madeja's goal off one early in the second quarter to take a 1-0 lead.

Derryfield (4-7) got its lone goal from Kira Geddes with 9:22 remaining in the third, just 1:24 after Zampella had given Souhegan a 2-0 lead. Jess Avalon finished with seven saves for the Cougars, including some in the fourth quarter to keep Derryfield within a goal.

"We talked about beforehand, just focusing on the simple saves and I thought it was one of her better games," Derryfield coach Kelsey Federico said. "Unfortunate that the two goals happened, but when you have a goalie that can come up with crucial saves, that’s the difference between a 5-1 game and a 2-1 game."

Play was back-and-forth throughout the first quarter, with each team getting a corner in the final moments, with Raduazzo making a pair of saves to keep Derryfield from scoring.

The Sabers got a pair of corners to open the second quarter, and on the second one, a shot by Madeja was deflected by a Derryfield defender and ricocheted high into the goal to give the Sabers a 1-0 lead with 12:54 remaining in the half.

"Stuff happens and you’ve got to roll with it," Federico said. "It’s tough to get stuck on why did that happen or who did it go off. It doesn’t matter, it happened, and being able to move past it, it’s a good lesson for them. Just keep going."

After an initial shock at allowing the goal, the Cougars were able to regroup, keeping the ball in Souhegan's circle for a long stretch.

"They hemmed us in our defensive zone quite a bit, which is sketchy against a team with a couple of great shooters on there, which Derryfield definitely has," Braley said. "It was clear their game plan was get it in the circle, draw a corner and do what they do best."

Souhegan took the 1-0 lead into halftime and got a quick corner to start the second half. Avalon came up with a save, but the Sabers were able to keep the ball inside Derryfield's 25\. A shot by Barrett was stopped by Avalon but the rebound went to Zampella, who was able to put it in for a 2-0 lead.

The Cougars answered quick with the goal by Geddes and kept the pressure on, trying to tie the game.

"A two-goal lead is the worst lead in hockey," Braley said. "We had to remember the game wasn’t over. Two goals doesn’t do it, especially in a division that is as competitive as this one is this year. Two goals doesn’t necessarily guarantee you a win. They were hungry. Derryfield played a full 60 minutes with serious grit and tenacity."

The Sabers were able to tilt the field the other way in the final minutes of the third quarter and kept the ball in the Cougars' end for most of the fourth. But in the final minutes, Derryfield had a chance to tie the game, but couldn't get a good look once the ball was in the circle.

"It was close," Federico said. "We’ve talked a lot in our previous games about, it’s the physical aspect of staying in the game, because you feel exhausted. But it’s also a mental piece and mentally staying in it. We can still compete and I think they did a great job with that."