Last year didn’t go as planned for the Kearsarge field hockey team. The Cougars struggled with consistency and won just three games. So entering this preseason, coach Dianne Chadwick said it felt like the program had “hit the reset button.”
With a cast of new faces – and a handful of experienced returners – Kearsarge opened the season Monday on a high note, besting Monadnock on the road, 3-1.
“There was a lot of hustle and grit out there today,” Chadwick said. “We had control of the field for most of the game, and though we struggled to score in the first half, the second half brought the results we have worked for.”
The second half also brought the best out of senior forward Audrey Kenyon, who tied the game at 1-all early on and sparked the rest of the Cougars to “dig deep and do their job,” Chadwick said.
Still tied in the waning moments of the contest, Izzy Wulff and Abby Nadeau both found the back of the net to secure the win.
Also chipping in were Megan Norris (two assists) and goalie Marissa Pickman (12 saves).
Chadwick had high praise for some other key players as well.
“Jordan Pollard controlled the field and was a key factor in our win, and freshmen Eliza Cardillo, Kate Cochran and Paige Hoegler showed exactly why they earned varsity spots with their hustle and skills,” she said. “We’re a young team with great promise and I look forward to building from here.”
Kearsarge returns to action for its home opener on Friday against ConVal.
Hanover 3, Coe-Brown 0
Key players: Makenzie Daly (midfield), Mary Thoms (midfield), Sophie Laird (forward)
Highlights/key moments: The Bears stood toe-to-toe with a top tier program for the opening 40 minutes as the two sides entered halftime scoreless. Hanover opened the second half with goal two minutes in, and added another a few moments later.
Coach’s quote: “A top program like Hanover will capitalize on mistakes you make, and that’s what they did. I was proud of our effort, but we have to find our chemistry and consistency.” – Coe-Brown’s Josh Hils
Records: Hanover 2-0; Coe-Brown 0-2