By Bryce Sady — Sports Contributor
The Concord-Carlisle Patriots varsity field hockey team played its first home game September 6 against the Wayland Warriors, with ideal fall weather and golden sunlight. After a tough away game ending in a tie against Chelmsford, the Patriots, with a roster of 10 new players this season, were eager for a victory.
From the opening, the Patriots’ offense dominated, keeping the pressure on Wayland’s defense. Senior Kate Francini scored the first goal just six minutes into the game after a missed opportunity on an earlier corner. The momentum carried into the second quarter when junior Brynn Chaffee capitalized on a rebound from a corner to net the second goal. With five minutes remaining in the half, Chaffee, assisted by Francini, found the back of the net again, bringing the score to 3-0.
The second half showcased Concord-Carlisle’s relentless offensive power despite several impressive saves by Wayland’s goaltender. Francini notched her second goal with a powerful drive from the top of the circle with three minutes left in the third quarter. The offensive onslaught continued with goals from freshman Abby Ruhmann and a third from Francini, assisted once again by Chaffee. Sophomore Lindsay Cain scored the Patriots’ final goal of the day.
Despite two late corners from Wayland, the Patriots’ defense held strong. The Warriors managed to score a single goal with just two minutes left on the clock. The final score stood at 7-1, marking the Patriots’ first win of the season.
In addition to the varsity team’s success, the junior varsity squad shut out Wayland 4-0, and the Freshman team secured an impressive 6-0 victory against Needham, with Lexie Ramirez in goal securing the shutout for both games.
The Patriots’ next home game will be at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, against Lincoln-Sudbury.
