Warriors score equalizer with no time left
THE WMHS field hockey team celebrates after scoring the tying goal with no time left as it played Melrose to a 4-4 draw yesterday afternoon at Shaun Beasley Field. (Donna Larsson Photo)
Published in the September 23, 2016 edition.
By DAN MARGARITA
WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Memorial High field hockey team managed a 4-4 tie with Melrose yesterday at Shaun Beasley Field scoring with no time left on the game clock.
“It’s very draining and nerve-wracking. It was a close game and then to end it on a corner at the end with no time left and to have the ball go in, that was awesome,” said Wakefield coach Cara Luca.
The teams started off seemingly evenly matched. Wakefield had a potential scoring chance when Vanessa Kaddaras, Olivia Cameron and Megan Horrigan had a 3-on-1 situation but Melrose defender Yvane Ngassa broke up the play.
As the first half wore on, Melrose began to dominate more on the offense end but some good defense by Wakefield’s Alyssa Vacca and some great stops by goalie Molly Leach kept Melrose off the board for a time.
Then Melrose was able to get on the scoreboard with a goal from Mairead Clark to give the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead going into halftime.
Wakefield made some changes at halftime and it paid off immediately. Within seconds of the opening of the half, Wakefield scored on a goal by Cameron to tie the game at 1-1.
Solid ball movement between Horrigan, Cameron and Kaddaras led to the score.
“What happened is that we switched up those three in the second half and put those three in the top line. They’re strong stick-handlers, so I was hoping something would happen but I didn’t realize it was going to happen within a minute of the beginning of the second half. I think for now that’s probably what we’re going to stick with,” Luca explained.
However, it didn’t take long for Melrose to rebound. Just minutes after the goal Cameron, Jackie Schwarz gave the lead back to Melrose with a goal to make it 2-1.
“It always happens when we play Melrose. It’s always back-and-forth,” Luca noted.
The improved passing game paid off once again for Wakefield when Kaddaras scored to tie the game at 2-2.
Wakefield took its first lead of the game when Kaddaras notched her second goal of the game.
The lead was short-lived, as once again, Melrose responded with a quick goal, again by Schwarz, tying the game at 3-3.
It looked like Wakefield had taken the lead again on another goal from Kaddaras but the officials deemed that the ball, deflected off a stick, to be a dangerous hit.
Wakefield continued to play some strong defense, led by Jenna Mello.
“Jenna did a great job. I moved her back to center-middie and she did a great job. She has great stick-handling skills and she’s always in the right position,” praised Luca.
Late in the half Melrose scored again on a goal by Sam Croon to make it 4-3.
Unlike past seasons and past games this season, Wakefield did not give up a lot of corners to its opponent.
“I think we were evenly matched today but in past games we’ve had a lot of corners against,” Luca explained.
In fact, It was a corner that saved the day for Wakefield and resulted in a point. After being awarded a corner that resulted in no shot with time running out, Wakefield was awarded another corner just as the game buzzer sounded.
The Warriors didn’t waste the opportunity with Horrigan scoring to secure the tie with no time left.
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At Shaun Beasley Field
Melrose………….1 3 — 4
WAKEFIELD……0 4 — 4
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First Half — Mel, Clark (un.) 15:14.
Second Half — Wak, Cameron (Kaddaras, Horrigan) :16. Mel, J. Schwarz (un.) 1:48. Wak, Kaddaras (Cameron) 11:56. Wak, Kaddaras (un.) 18:09. Mel, J. Schwarz (un.) 24:10. Wak, Horrigan (Kaddaras) 30:00.
Saves — Wak, Leach (11). Mel, M. Schwarz (4).
