On Friday night, Manual’s varsity field hockey team beat Nerinx Hall 1-0.
First Half:
To start off the first quarter of the game, the Lady Crimsons quickly gained possession. Chloe Cochran (#1,11) passed the ball to Charlotte Connally (#17,12), who then dribbled the ball down to the opposing team’s side and took a shot at the goal. Unfortunately, this was the first of multiple close calls and misses.
Nerinx Hall played good offense, which led the Lady Crimsons to pass the ball backwards to try and get some clear air. The Markers kept pushing and made a couple attempts at a goal but couldn’t get close enough.
Connally swept in to take back possession and dribbled the ball down to the other end of the field. She made a shot for the goal and made it, but ended up being fouled, so no point was awarded. Connally had another shot towards the end of the quarter, but just barely missed the goal.
The second quarter started with the Lady Crimsons having possession, but the Markers’ offense quickly stole the ball and headed down to Manual’s side. Connally retook possession and had a close attempt at a goal but barely missed. Soon after, Stella Shuman (#16, 11) also had a chance for a goal, but the Markers’ goalie saved it.
Manual was given a penalty corner, and almost had it, but missed the goal by centimeters. The rest of the quarter was filled with the teams going back-and-forth and numerous attempts at the goals from both teams. At halftime, they were still tied 0-0.
Second Half:
The Lady Crimsons came into the third quarter with more fire than they had all night. This resulted in their first goal just three minutes in by Cochran with an assist from Connally.
After this turning point, the game went to straight defense from both teams for most of the quarter. The Markers started out making shots at Manuals’ goal but missed. Then the Lady Crimsons retook possession, with a little bit of help from Kinsley Yerkes (#8, 11) who hit the ball all the way to half field. This made it possible for Manual to have a few shots at their opponent’s goal.
The Lady Crimsons got possession to start off the fourth quarter, with Cochran taking the ball down to the Markers half, but their offense snatched it up and returned it to Manual’s side. This occurred multiple times throughout the rest of the quarter.
Nerinx Hall had a close call for a goal, but Alice Thomas (#98, 12) saved it, and soon after she saved another shot.
To end the game, the Lady Crimsons were given two penalty corners, but both just barely missed the goal. Immediately after, the Checkers got two back-to-back penalty corners that ultimately didn’t result in goals. The final score was Manual 1-0.
“I think they played together great, and all the positions were taken care of. We’ve been having some very competitive practices, and are going into some hard games, so let’s see what they can give us,” Coach Olivia Hardin said.
