The Sweet 16 was sweet for one team in particular; Gloucester. Following their 7-0 domination in round 1, the Fishermen field hockey team did it again in another shutout win. Anna Cinelli (2 goals) and Lily Pregent (1 goal) led the Fishermen, with assists coming from captains Abby Lowthers and Ari Scola.
The first quarter started out quiet, with 11 minutes of back and forth battles. During an offensive corner, Cinelli struck a shot from Lowthers over a Longmeadow defenseman and the goalie. Captain Ella Costa inserted a quick pass into Lowthers who shot it across to Cinelli. Lexi Carollo had a close shot at the net that almost scored, but the East Longmeadow goalie laid down a block with her leg pads.
Though no goals were scored, the second and third quarters were action-packed. Sophomore goalie Keagan Jewell made a diving save across the net, blocking the original shot and the shots following before flicking it out. Bella Goulart put down a block right in front of the Fishermen goal, saving the ball from being shot. Costa blocked a high shot over her head and ran up the field with it, avoiding Spartans left and right. Jewell saved a hard shot off a Spartan stick with a leg drop before kicking it far upfield.
After a long period of no goals, both teams became more aggressive. With 8 minutes left, Costa passed the ball on the 40 yard line up to Lowthers. Lowthers, on the 30 yard line, passed it to Pregent on the left, who shot the ball between the East Longmeadow goalie’s legs. Cinelli scored 5 minutes later, getting a stick on the ball after a rebound off the goalie.
The game was one of the most heated games the Fishermen have played this season in terms of shoving and injuries. The Spartans were very aggressive in their game play, tripping Gloucester players. Two Spartans and one Fisherman were carded during the game. The Fishermen did not let bad attitudes stop them, finishing with a 3-0 shutout.
The student section for Gloucester reached high numbers for the field hockey program, where they were all into the action of the game. The students were excited for the Fishermen after the game.
Costa controlled the ball skillfully throughout the game, along with her fellow forwards. Anna Hafey and Jordan Palk were strong in defense, along with Hafey’s powerful drives up the field. Gloucester pressed East Longmeadow’s defense and offense, and hit strong shots at the goalie. East Longmeadow’s goalie blocked many of Gloucester’s shots throughout the game.
“I’m really proud of how the girls played,” head coach Lauren Riley-Gove said. “The other team was a fast, smart team that was all over our players, and we had to adapt to that. The forward line did a fantastic job moving the ball from the midfielders all the way up, and our defense stepped up when necessary. Very proud of them. They’ve had a great season and we’re moving in the right direction!”
The girls now await the results of the game between 2nd ranked Newburyport and 18th ranked Dedham.
