Panthers Escape
Visiting Quabbin (9-0-2) squeaked by Groton-Dunstable 1-0 in a well played, exciting Midland B field hockey game.
Following the very poignant singing of our National Anthem by senior field hockey players Emma Ghilardi and Abby Sullivan, the Crusaders set out to avenge the embarrassing 5-0 shutout handed to them by the Panthers earlier in the season.
This undefeated Quabbin team boasts three of the top seven scorers in Midland B along with goalie Alison Bieska who has allowed one goal in the eight games she has been in between the pipes. Give me a break! That is a 0.13 goals against average!
The visitors dominated play for most of the first 30 minutes, creating four corners, eight shots on goal and a penalty stroke that Crusader keeper Erin Connerty, doing her best Tuukaa Rask, swatted away. Unfortunately, in an attempt to block a shot while on the ground, Connerty was called for concealing the ball and Quabbin was awarded a penalty stroke.
"I had a plan," said Connerty. "Shooters usually go for the stick side so I was anticipating, leaning that way and it worked," she smiled.
"That was the best save of a penalty stroke I have ever seen," said head official John Cruz.
The Crusaders' defense, including Meg Colantuoni, Jess Allen, Emily Acone and Fiona Henry continued playing with determined effort, keeping the potent Panthers offense off the board throughout the half, an offense that has outscored its opponents 30-1 thus far this year.
Quabbin finally scored eight minutes into the second stanza when Tiana Morin (11 goals, 7 assists) banged home a rebound off an outstanding Connerty save.
Trailing 1-0, GD continued their dogged, tenacious effort not allowing another score. With under five minutes remaining in regulation, GD was on the attack, creating offense opportunities and controlling play but the talented, athletic Panthers team are undefeated for a reason. They are good.
"That was a great game," said GD Coach Connerty. "We played like a team, the bench played well. Best game we have played so far. I am so proud."
