Field Hockey
York field hockey is untouchable,
16-0
By Colleen Buckless
SHUTTING 'EM DOWN. York's Caitlin Keating and Lauren Coupal close in on a Greely forward during last Saturday's home shutout win over the Rangers. York won 3-0 en route to the Western Maine finals to be held today at York.
Photo by Kate Rasche
YORK - Field hockey entered the playoffs 14-0.
York played eighth-seated Mountain Valley last Wednesday, Oct. 18, during a quarter-final game at home. York beat Mountain Valley at last year's quarter-final game, but these two teams had not met yet this year. The crowd was louder and larger than normal in support of York.
York dominated the whole game with their skills and their speed. York made many attempts to score, but Michaela Franey scored York's first goal assisted by Lauren Coupal during a corner. York's next goal was by Kortnee Cribby, assisted by Megan Yorke. Melissa Enright scored against the Mountain Valley defense with an assist by Caitlin Keating. Franey scored one more time in the half, assisted by Yorke. Coupal was able to squeeze in one more goal with seven seconds left in the half, and Keating got the assist. York, with a five goal lead, was able to take a long breath when they entered half-time.
During the beginning of the second half, a penalty was called against Mountain Valley. When Coupal was set for the stroke and the referee blew the whistle, the crowd went silent for the first time in the game. Luckily, Coupal scored York's sixth goal of the game. Franey scored her third and final goal of the game, assisted by Cribby. Coupal was the last York player to score, assisted by Emily Morin during a corner.
York massacred Mountain Valley 8 to 0. Mountain Valley had no shots on goal, and no offensive corners. Every York player played during the game, and all the players contributed to the win.
York Captain Katherine Lindbom said after the game, "We played well. It was a good team success, and everyone stepped it up."
The Greely Rangers came to York on Saturday, Oct. 21, during a semi-final game, hoping to upset York after losing to York twice during the regular season. They came yelling and screaming, which made York fans nervous because Greely is a tough team. This was not going to be an easy game for York, especially because of the strong cold winds and the long grass.
In the first half, the teams played about the same. The ball was going back and forth between the teams, and both teams were very aggressive. Greely's goalkeeper was out far from the net, and was not afraid to attack the ball or anyone in her way. You could feel the tension in the crowd during the whole first half. Franey scored with less than one minute left in the half, assisted by Cribby. This goal was a great team effort for York.
The second half was a whole new story for York. York was strong and in control, while Greely was now just trying to defend themselves from York's forcefulness. Coupal scored for York during a corner, assisted by Cribby. Enright scored, assisted by Yorke, to end Greely's chances of winning the game.
York coach Barb Marois called it a "good hard, fought game. The girls stayed strong and determined throughout the game."
York proved themselves to be number one, and the final score was 3 to 0.
"It is our team dynamic to play as a team, offensively and defensively," Cribby said after York's victory.
York will play a Western Maine Class B Championship game today, Wednesday, Oct. 25, at home against Leavitt at 3 p.m. This is York's first time playing Leavitt this season. The winner of today's game will play in the State Championship game on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, at noon. If York wins today, they will probably face Belfast on Saturday, a team they have lost to the past two years. Let's hope that history doesn't repeat itself this year, and York's seniors get their championship.
