Crunch time again for field hockey

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
Article by: Norwood Record - Mike Stoller

It was a day of catch-up for Maeve Finneran and the Norwood field hockey team, which fell to host Dedham, 3-0, last week in a Bay State Conference Herget Division match-up. The Mustangs entered the contest having just defeated BSC Carey Division foe Framingham, 2-1. Photo by ZALINA McGUIRE


With precious few games left, the Norwood field hockey team is hoping to get the pendulum to swing in its favor. It’s been another seesaw ride for the Mustangs, who headed into this week’s game still seeking a coveted state tourney berth.

"We have been pretty inconsistent this year, and for us to make tournament, we are going to have to bring our best to each and every game from here on out," Norwood head coach Allison Parks said.

Last week was typical: a huge 2-1 victory over Bay State conference (BSC) Carey Division foe Framingham, but a disappointing 3-0 loss to Herget Division rival Dedham. It all left the ‘Stangs (7-7 overall, 7-5 BSC) in the same state of flux as the last two seasons, with their postseason possibilities up in the air.

"It was disappointing to have played such a strong game against Framingham and then end up with a 3-0 loss against Dedham the following day," Parks said. "The Dedham game was so important for us to get close to securing a tournament spot."

But the Marauders (4-8-1, 3-8 BSC) brought their ‘A’ game to their home field.

"Dedham beat us to every ball and just seemed to want it more," said Parks, whose squad defeated the Marauders, 2-1, at home on Sept. 21. "I knew Dedham was going to be tough and that their record didn’t indicate what type of team they had."

The Marauders scored their first goal about three minutes into the game and then again with 40 seconds left in the first half.

"We just couldn’t seem to get anything going in the first half and the goal at the end was pretty deflating to the team," Parks said.

Norwood’s fate was all but sealed when the Marauders added to their lead in the second stanza with a strike at the 19:51 mark.

"We played a bit better in the second half, however [that goal] pretty much put the game out of reach," the coach said.

Parks cited Gina Mancini, Christina Pugliano, and Kayla Garcynski as playing well throughout.

Mancini, meanwhile, played a crucial role in Norwood’s much needed 2-1 win over visiting Framingham, posting a goal and an assist, at the Oldham field. Mancini scored on a terrific tip-in on a free-hit by Meghan Harrington to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead with less than five minutes left in the first half. It was Mancini’s third goal of the season.

"The team knew the importance of this game and although we played a great first half, we knew a 1-0 score wasn’t going to be enough to get the win," Parks said.

The Mustangs came out strong on offense to start the second half, and quickly took a 2-0 lead. Mancini carried the ball down the right side, before sending a super pass to the top of the circle to a wide open Jill Walsh, who fired a quick shot into the back of the net.

The Flyers cut the deficit in half with just six minutes left in regulation, but the Mustangs held on with senior captain Emily Whitney making some key saves in goal in the final minutes to secure the win.

"I was very pleased with our overall play against Framingham," summed up Parks. "I thought we started the game off strong and controlled most of the play."

The Mustangs were scheduled to host Needham yesterday and Wellesley tomorrow.