By Bryce Sady — Sports Contributor
The Concord-Carlisle High School field hockey team closed out its regular season with an 11-6-1 record, securing the No. 14 ranking in the state. In the opening round of 32, the Patriots faced off against No. 19 Chelmsford in a high-stakes match.
The game began with a defensive battle, each team trading corners but remaining scoreless in the first quarter. Chelmsford broke the ice with a goal, but with a minute left in the first half, junior Brynn Chaffee responded for CCHS, capitalizing on a corner with an assist from sophomore Scarlet Mirak to tie it up.
The second half saw intense play but no change in score, thanks to multiple saves by senior goalkeeper Krista Celli, including two impressive aerial stops. Junior defender Ally Couto also delivered a crucial reverse save to clear the circle in the fourth quarter, keeping the Patriots in contention.
With both teams unable to score in regulation, the game went to sudden-death overtime, featuring the 7-on-7 format. Six minutes into OT, senior Kate Francini found the back of the net, assisted by Abby Ruhmann, and clinched the victory for the Patriots.
“We [had] been working on defending during practice all week, working on block tackles, and we were really taking the ball back,” said junior midfielder Kaia Triola.
Tournament heartbreaker
Advancing to the Sweet 16, CCHS took on No. 3 Algonquin in an unseasonably warm match in Northborough. Algonquin’s Titans scored twice in the first quarter, but the Patriots rallied in the second half, taking control of possession. Junior Brynn Chaffee scored in the third quarter with an assist from senior Fei Yang-Sady, sparking hope for a comeback.
Despite a fierce fourth-quarter effort and four shots on goal, the Patriots couldn’t break through. Algonquin held on for a 2-1 win, ending CCHS’ season.
The junior varsity team completed its season 8-4-2, and the 9th grade team finished with a remarkable 13-1 record.
