New Canaan Youth Field Hockey’s 7 Red team completed it’s undefeated season on Nov. 3 with an exciting sweep of the Jamboree at Staples High School in Westport. Coach Cari Hills instructed the team to play the shortened games with purpose and pressure. With this aggressive offensive strategy, tight defense, and some superb goalie work, the girls fought hard through three games to finish the season undefeated and take home the championship medals.
New Canaan Youth Field Hockey’s 7 Red team. Contributed
Coach Hills said, “Every single one of our players from the front line to our goalie contributed to the jamboree outcome with their tenacity, teamwork, flexibility, and never-give-up attitude. Their composure during the shootouts and during their comeback against tough competition was inspiring.”
The first game against Westport 7 Blue was a battle of well-matched teams. Both teams took came out aggressively, taking shots on goal, all of which were saved by the teams’ goalies.
The 7 Red Goalie Lucy Parsons-Hills, made four exciting saves during regulation. With no score after the game was complete, the teams moved to taking alternate shots to determine the winner. Lucy Parsons-Hills was in the spotlight and saved the first two attempts from Westport. Gigi Caldero’s powerful shot was deflected by the Westport goalie, then on New Canaan’s Nora Moley scored with a strong, high shot, putting New Canaan ahead 1-0. Westport then countered with a goal to tie the game 1-1. New Canaan answered with a goal by Audrey Ives to bring New Canaan ahead again 2-1. Both goalies saved the next shots to bring the game to nail-biter final shots. Westport’s final attempt to tie the game was rebuffed with the player’s goal was determined illegal based on a double hit, making New Canaan New Canaan the winner with a final score of 2-1.
Game two against Wilton, ended with a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation, resulting again with shots on goal to determine the winner. Goalie Parsons-Hills again took the pressure with aplomb, making multiple outstanding saves. After several thwarted attempts by both teams, Maisy Ricciardelli came to the rescue with a goal to bring the team ahead 2-1. One last save by Parson-Hills clinched the win and the team’s position in the championship game.
The championship game was a rematch against a determined Wilton team. This time, the 7 Red girls were laser focused on taking the championship without having to result to shots on goal for a third time. Battling it out in the circle, Catherine Haddad scored the goal to bring the team into the lead 1-0, with a few minutes remaining. With great defensive work by Claire Ognibene and Izzy Appelt, were able to keep the Wilton team from scoring, clinching the championship with a 1-0 score.
The 7 Red Team was thrilled to end their undefeated season with such outstanding performance against the seasoned teams at the Jamboree. Their record for the year was an impressive 9-0. The team gratefully accepted their medals and rushed Coach Hills with hugs and thanks for a season full of growth and teamwork. Congratulations on a great season 7 Red: Izzy Appelt, Gianna Caldero, Lucy Carroll, Elizabeth Doak, Abbie Dymond, Catherine Haddad, Audrey Ives, Rani Joshi, Nora Moley, Claire Ognibene, Lucy Parsons-Hills, Shannon Ratner, Maisy Ricciardelli, Margot Stanley, and Harper Teles.