They may not have gotten the result they wanted Wednesday, but the 2018 field hockey season was still a historic one for the Generals.
The No. 10 team out of John Stark (6-9), playing in a tournament game in its first season in D-II, lost 3-1 to the No. 7 Kingswood Knights (10-5).
The first-round contest in Wolfeboro was just the second tournament appearance in John Stark’s field hockey program history. The only other postseason appearance was when the Generals lost in the preliminary round of the 2014 Division III tournament as the No. 9 seed to Sanborn, 1-0.
“Just an amazing season for our girls and our program,” John Stark head coach Dennis Pelletier said. “We grew by leaps and bounds this year and pushed our development a year faster than expected.”
The Knights defeated John Stark when the two teams met during the regular season on Sept. 14, 4-0, and it looked like Kingswood would do so again, taking a 2-0 lead at halftime and scoring an early second-half goal for a 3-0 lead.
But the Generals, refusing to go down without a fight, withstood the challenging weather conditions and the Knights’ attack and relentlessly pressured Kingswood for the remainder of the match.
Sophomore Delaney Forrestall scored her third goal of the season off an assist from junior Lauren Zervos to make the score 3-1.
Junior captain Elizabeth Aubin played well in the midfield and senior captain Kasey Arnold played well in the upper sweep position to help turn the tables on the Knights.
The Generals had a flurry of scoring opportunities that missed going into the cage by inches, but wasn’t enough to prevent their first-round exit.
The success of this year’s team is especially remarkable considering that John Stark posted a 3-11 record and failed to make the postseason last year – in a lower division.
“Stark field hockey is on the rise,” Pelletier said, “and these girls got the program accelerated big time this fall. Thanks to our three seniors (Arnold, Tyler Descoteau and Ali Burhamer) for great careers.”
D-II Field Hockey
Tournament
No. 6 Pelham 2,
No. 11 Merrimack Valley 1
Key players: MV – Sadie Barton (G), Alani Ramas, Lauren McLaughlin, Molly McLaughlin, Emily Blanchette
Highlights: Barton scored midway through the first half, putting away a rebound off a Reilley Swislosky shot. Pelham scored with 4:29 left in the first half and again with three minutes left in the game, ending the Pride’s season in the first round of the tournament.
Coach’s quote: “The girls played hard this afternoon. We came out strong and got on the board first but it wasn’t enough to beat a tough, athletic Pelham team. I’m very proud of this group of girls for what they’ve accomplished this season.” – MV’s Jennifer Otis
Records: Pelham 12-3-0; Merrimack Valley 5-9-1
John Stark 1, Milford 0, OT
Key players: John Stark – Jared Peterson (G), Jaimason Lacasse (4 saves)
Highlights: Senior co-captain Peterson scored the game-winner in overtime on John Stark’s senior night.
Coach’s quote: “Milford is a high quality club. The first half they greatly outpossessed us, but in the second half we were able to get more quality chances. Senior co-captain Jared Peterson was able to cap off a great career with the overtime game-winner. I am happy for him and all our seniors.” – John Stark’s Eddie Marceau
Records: John Stark 11-3-1; Milford 2-13-0
Concord Christian 8, Franklin 0
Highlights: The Golden Tornadoes lost to the Kingsmen, but have still won six of their last eight matches.
Records: Concord Christian 11-3-1; Franklin 7-7-0
Pembroke 3, Milford 3
Key players: Pembroke – Kayla Paquin (2G), Britney Hill (G), Cierra Hill (A), Jade Pescinski (assist), Anna Harlow (defense), Iso Gill (defense)
Highlights: Milford had a 2-1 halftime advantage, but Pembroke battled back to tie it up with help from Maddie Bailey and Hannah Brown in the midfield. With two minutes remaining, Milford took the lead off a free kick just outside the box. Pembroke answered a minute later with seconds to go when Britney Hill converted a penalty kick that Paquin drew.
Coach’s quote: “We are proud of our girls for never giving up in this tough contest. Tonight it certainly felt like playoff season in this regular-season match. Two more games to go and we hope to come back tomorrow even stronger.” – Pembroke’s Jess Kaufman
Records: Pembroke 12-1-1; Milford 9-3-3
Pittsfield 13,
Farmington 3
Key players: Pittsfield – Destinee Ellis (3G, 2A), Kira Wood (3G, 2A), Bryana Morris (2G), Paige Provencal (2G), Madison St. George (G), Isis Young (G), Marissa Ware (G)
Highlights: Seniors Ellis and Wood recorded hat tricks while freshmen Young scored her first varsity goal and seventh-grader Tiffany Boucher saved four shots. Eighth-graders Marissa Ware, Ryan Wood and Alexia Rollins all played key roles in the win.
Coach’s quote: “I was very happy with the middle school girls and the way they handled themselves at the varsity level today. Boucher was great in goal while the other girls put in a solid effort.” – Pittsfield’s Jayme Kennedy
Records: Pittsfield 4-10-1; Farmington 0-13-0
Winnisquam 3, Moultonborough 1
Key players: Winnisquam – Shannon Goodwin (23 kills, 15 digs, 2 blocks), Gabby Isabelle (20 kills, 16 digs), Olivia Dill (46 assists, 6 digs), Aubrey St. Onge (13 digs), Sarah Seymour (10 digs), Rebekah Persson (8 digs), Hannah Blackburn (6 digs, 3 aces)
Highlights: The Bears were challenged by the Panthers early and often, winning the first set, 27-25, and losing the second, 27-29, before the claiming the third, 25-22. The teams were deadlocked at 16-16 in the fourth set, but Goodwin recorded her 500th career dig during that frame and Blackburn closed the match with a nice service run (that included a pair of aces) to keep Winnisquam’s undefeated record intact. The Bears trailed 24-21 in the first set and thought they had the win at 26-24, but a net violation forced Winnisquam to win a couple more points to take the set.
Coach’s quote: “I was really impressed with them (in the first set). They could’ve given in and blamed the officiating, but they dug deep and pulled it out. Goodwin’s 500th dig really helped ignite the team in the fourth set. Blackburn’s serving also kept (Moultonborough) off balance. Overall, a good team win.” – Winnisquam’s Mike Livernois
Records: Winnisquam 15-0; Moultonborough 8-7
Mascenic 3,
Hillsboro-Deering 0
Key players: H-D – Holy Madore (4 digs, ace), Maddee O’Brien (3 aces, 2 kills, dig)
Records: Mascenic 10-5; H-D 3-11