Field Hockey Advances Despite Conditions

Despite the torrential rain and whipping wind, the #3 Norwood field hockey team took on the #19 Hopkinton Hillers in the first round of the state tournament. After earning a bye in the preliminary round, Norwood drew Hopkinton, who defeated Notre Dame Academy in triple overtime to advance.

Early in the game, Hopkinton was able to neutralize Norwood’s high-scoring offense despite chances from Hannah Benson and Kacie Smith. But it was only a matter of time before the offense broke through. As senior captain Lisa Moynihan put the Mustangs on the board first, going end-to-end from her own defensive end, through defenders, to score her first career high school goal with 2:23 left in the first half. The Mustangs led at half 1-0 with he conditions playing a large role in the lack of scoring.

“It was difficult at first because it was pouring and everyone was cold” says senior captain Sammy Hayes. “But once we got our legs moving, we got used to it and we were able to play through it”

And play through it they did as Smith quickly put one in for Norwood only 57 seconds into the second half to give Norwood a 2-0 lead. Hopkinton later cut the lead in half with a goal of their own with 21:09 left into the game. But Norwood’s offense was too much for the Hillers as Smith tacked on another goal on an agile assist from junior Val Quinlan. With timely saves from Beth Tobio and stout defense from Shannon Gillis, Norwood was able to advance with a 3-1 win.

Since then, Norwood has defeated #6 Mansfield, 5-2, and advanced to the South Sectional Semifinals where they will play #2 Oliver Ames on Wednesday November 5th at 4:30pm at Oliver Ames High School.