Sports

In varsity field hockey: Falcons defeat Fair Haven, advance to semifinals

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field hockey Stewart
North Country’s Bayla Stewart turns on the afterburners to evade Fair Haven’s Briley Blackbird during Saturday’s DIII quarterfinal match at North Country Union High. Falcon Brittany Fortier helped spur the Falcons comeback win while recording a goal and an assist in the 2-1 win. Photo by Richard Creaser

by Richard Creaser

copyright the Chronicle 10-26-2013

NEWPORT — For the second time in as many years, the North Country Falcons field hockey team has earned a berth in the semifinals in Burlington.  The Falcons advanced to the semis with a come-from-behind win over the visiting Fair Haven Slaters on a cold and wet Saturday afternoon.

Deteriorating weather conditions could not deter the Falcons from overcoming a late first-half goal from Fair Haven Slater Anna-Michelle Fabian.  Fabian knocked in a cross from teammate Ashley Adams with just under three minutes left in the half to give visiting Fair Haven the early advantage.

Coming out of the half, North Country Coach Chantelle Bouchard gave her team a quick pep talk, Falcon Briana Boccelli said after the game.

field hockey Greene
Falcon Morgan Greene (left) had the first solid scoring chance against Fair Haven’s Jenna Alexander (obscured right) during the first half of Saturday’s quarterfinal game in Newport. Fair Haven Slater Megin Eaton narrowly dodges the blistering shot. Photo by Richard Creaser

“She told us to buckle down and get back to playing the kind of game that got us to the playoffs,” Boccelli said.  “We were bunching up too much in the first and we knew we needed to keep our spacing if we were going to score.”

Coach Bouchard attributed the sluggish first half to the cool and rainy weather.

“I don’t think they were quite as loose as they could have been,” Coach Bouchard said.  “It’s hard to warm up in weather like this.”

The pep talk appeared to work its magic as the Falcons found themselves pressing the Slater defense more often than not.  The Falcons moved the ball well through the midfield, making use of the wings to create openings and spread out the Fair Haven defenders.

“We were definitely moving the ball better in the second half,” Boccelli said after the game.  “If you can keep your spacing, make your passes count and keep moving forward, that’s what you need to win this game.”

field hockey Fournier
Falcon Adrianna Fournier (foreground right) out duels Fair Haven Slater Anna-Michelle Fabian for control of the ball during Saturday’s field hockey quarter-final at North Country union High. Falcon teammate Brittany Verge lurks in the background. Photo by Richard Creaser

That forward push finally paid off as Falcon Brittany Fortier found the front of the net and knocked in the tying goal with 22:12 left to play.  The Fair Haven defense, spread out by the Falcons’ spacing, created a zone in front of Slater goalkeeper Jenna Alexander that Fortier worked to deadly advantage.

Boccelli would utilize the same tactic to crash the net and find an opening for a pass from Fortier.  Boccelli would give the ball a sharp rap and put the Falcons in front with 13:04 to play.

The Slaters would generate a few good scoring chances late in the game but the combination of Falcon defenders and solid play from North Country goalie Myrriah Gonyaw kept Fair Haven off the scoreboard.  North Country would keep up the pressure, threatening to add insurance to their lead but Alexander and the Slaters denied them the opportunity.

“The girls have played excellent all season long,” Coach Bouchard said.  “They deserved to be here and deserved to win this game.”

field hockey Verge
Falcon Brittany Verge (right) battles Fair Haven Slater Megin Eaton during Saturday’s DIII quarter final at North Country. With the 2-1 comeback win, the Falcons will face number two Stowe in Wednesday’s semi-final at UVM’s Moulton-Winder Field. Photo by Richard Creaser

The Falcons will advance to the semifinal game at UVM’s Moulton-Winder field on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 30.  The third seeded Falcons (8-4-3) will take on the second seeded Stowe Raiders (11-3) for the opportunity to vie for the DIII crown.  In their lone meeting of the season, Stowe edged North Country 3-2 on October 8.

“These girls communicate well and support each other so well,” Coach Bouchard said.  “They’ve grown together as a team and I think that will definitely help them win games.”

Contact Richard Creaser at [email protected].  For more sports, please see the sports category on this site or subscribe.

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