Top Five Field Hockey Games in 2022

The 2022 field hockey season was an exciting one and there were plenty of games that could qualify as the best of the best.

The following are the five best games I attended this season. While there were many, many more, I stuck to the ones I saw in person. If you've got ones you feel could also be on the list, feel free to leave them in the comments.

No. 5: John Stark 1, Souhegan 1 (Oct. 4)

Feels weird putting a game that ended in a tie on this list, but this game was not only well-played, but had the intensity of postseason play almost from the start. Souhegan got its goal early, John Stark tied it up, and despite chances for both teams, no one else would break through before the end of overtime. And it wasn't just a game that was fun to watch - Souhegan players wanted to keep going even after the overtime came to a close.

No. 4: Derryfield 1, Goffstown 0 (Oct. 19)

Derryfield got a penalty corner early in the third quarter and Kira Geddes scored off it for the game's only tally. It was the only corner for the Cougars, who were unable to get the ball inside the circle for most of the game. Meanwhile, Goffstown put pressure on Derryfield's defense, but couldn't get the tying goal. Play went back and forth for most of the game.

No. 3: Winnacunnet 3, Dover 2 (OT) (Oct. 27)

Hard to top overtime playoff games, especially with a spot in the final on the line, and Winnacunnet and Dover didn't disappoint. The teams traded goals in the opening minutes - including a penalty stroke by Abby Wilbur in the opening minute - and then nothing for two-and-a-half quarters. The Green Wave had controlled much of the game when Audrey Carter scored to give them a 2-1 lead, but WIlbur scored late to tie the game. The Winnacunnet senior got her third goal in OT to send the Warriors to the final.

No. 2: Windham 4, Bedford 3 (OT) (Oct. 3)

This game saw momentum swing so many times, it was hard to keep count. Bedford dominated the first quarter, but had just a 1-0 lead, and Windham stormed back in the second quarter, scoring twice. The Jaguars added another goal early in the third to make it 3-1, but the Bulldogs weren't done, tying the game in the fourth to force overtime. Windham went on to win in overtime on a penalty stroke.

No. 1: Souhegan 2, Portsmouth 1 (Sept. 27)

These two teams played two one-goal games this year that came down to a penalty corner at the end of regulation. But while the semifinal they played - which was won by Souhegan, 4-3 - was just as entertaining, the regular-season matchup was intense throughout. The Sabers took an early 1-0 lead, the Clippers tied it before halftime and then they spent the entire second half going back and forth, battling for the winning goal. Ella Barrett, who had been held in check for most of the game by Portsmouth, finally broke the tie with 71 seconds left in regulation to give Souhegan the win.