Winnacunnet field hockey grabs big road win over Windham (video)

WINDHAM - Sofia Donatelli was just in the right place at the right time, and on Friday, that was just what the Winnacunnet High School field hockey team needed against Windham.

In a game with limited scoring chances for either side, it looked like it was only going to take one of them to capitalize on an opportunity to get the win.

The Warriors got a penalty corner with under five minutes left in the third quarter, and when a rebound came right to her, Donatelli tapped it back into the goal, and that was enough for Winnacunnet to grab a 1-0 win over the Jaguars in Division I action.

"I think Fiona (McAfee), she shot, it didn’t go in," the sophomore said of the goal. "I think it came off the goalie’s foot. I was on the post and just tapped it in. It was a really big win, and goal. Every year, this is a tough team and we try really hard to prepare."

Amber Morgado added seven saves for Winnacunnet (3-0), including back-to-back saves late in the first quarter to keep the game scoreless. The Warriors had just four corners, two in each half, while Windham (1-2, No. 3 in the NHHSSports Coaches Poll) had eight corners, including three in the final six minutes.

"They stuck with it to the end," Winnacunnet coach Heidi Hand said. "It was an off game for us, but they stayed together as a team and fought hard right to the end. It really connected in the second half. I thought they played a lot better."

The Jaguars got three saves from goalie Dana McAleer while Sophie Manchester and Jaidyn Seitzer played well.

"The thing I keep doing is I keep comparing us to our game at Pinkerton (on Aug. 30)," Windham coach Sophia Poulin said. "We know Windham has a fresh new roster. This past week, the girls have really meshed. (Friday) they’re coming out with their heads down. I told them to get rid of that look and just think of a week ago and the growth we’ve had. I think they played well."

Windham had a chance to take the lead early, when Morgado had to make a great play, but the rebound went to Abbie Petrini on the far side of the goal. Winnacunnet's defense was able to recover and the ball was sent wide of the cage.

Morgado came up with another stop moments after Donatelli's goal gave the Warriors the lead with 4:09 remaining in the third quarter. But Windham may have had its best chance early in the fourth.

With the ball rolling into the circle, and with no one else near it, Morgado came out to kick it away. Instead, it went right to a Windham player, but by the time the Jaguars were able to get it into a scoring opportunity, the Warriors' defense had regrouped.

"We have a really strong defense," Donatelli said. "We have a freshman out there, Mary (Kouloheras), she’s been really crucial. We have a senior, Jordan Hurrell, she’s like a brick wall. Her tooth got knocked out (Thursday) and she’s out here playing for us."

And in a game like this, it was the moment Windham had to take advantage of, something Poulin feels her team will be able to do the next time.

"It’s that moment," she said. "We’ll be working on it. I hope next week, we can capitalize on that."