Strong performance by entire team leads to victory!
I'll write a much longer highlight later, but suffice it to say the entire team played tough, aggressive, smart field hockey to prevail over a fast and skilled Pingree team 3-0. Goals by Fallon (unassisted), Steele-Norton (assist Burdis) and Chapman (assist Burdis). 16 offensive Millbrook corners to Pingree's 5 made the difference. If not for the excellent Pingree goal keeper, who made many spectacular saves, the Mustangs would have notched even more goals today. Millbrook defense, as always, played smart, safe, tight D.
The Mustangs came out ready to play, no first half jitters today. The team started strong and sustained that intensity for a full 60 minutes. In the opening five minutes, the excellent Pingree goal keeper was tested as she made two great saves. Wing Fitzpatrick would have several great runs down the right, and it was her hard work that led to Millbrook's first goal as Fallon, at 24:05, dribbled in from the right, dodged three defenders and neatly tucked the ball behind the rushing Pingree keeper. At 19:40 Millbrook had a scary moment as sharp-shooter Steele-Norton was temporarily felled by a deflected shot that hit her in the cheek. After a brief rest on the bench and an ice pack, the fiesty junior was back on the field and would score on Millbrook's 6th penalty corner at 12:14, assist to Burdis. (Goal #23 for Steele-Norton, assist #16 for Burdis, to continue their record-breaking string). For the remainder of the half, the Millbrook offense would press and our sturdy midfield, manned by Merrill, who played her best game yet, Whalen, Burdis and Chapman denied most of Pingree's offensive thrusts. Pingree was a dangerous fast break team and did have three fast breaks which were snuffed by the experienced trio of Fracchia, Small and Lavitt. The half would end 2-0.
Goalie Nelson would start the second half with a fine boot save as Pingree came out raring to go. Pingree played a much better second half and generated more offense. In the first half they would only earn 1 penalty corner, in the opening minutes of the second half they earned 4, forcing our defense and keeper Nelson to make several good saves. In one dangerous exchange, Nelson blocked the first shot then Merrill stopped the second shot, a sure goal, with a goal line save. But at 20 minutes, the Mustangs got back on top with some great crosses that just missed their targets. At 11:03, on Millbrook's 5th corner, Steele-Norton would inject to Burdis, who teased the fly, faked a shot, and passed to pouncing Chapman who took her signature swing to score Millbrook's third goal. Assist to Burdis. At 7:03, Nelson would make a huge boot save to preserve her shut-out, and although Millbrook had plenty of offense in the closing minutes, the score would remain 3-0.
Kudos to Anthony, Roemer and Duhoski who all contributed to the win by playing great field hockey when they were on the field. Having such depth and experience on our bench increases our competitive edge.
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The Mustangs came out ready to play, no first half jitters today. The team started strong and sustained that intensity for a full 60 minutes. In the opening five minutes, the excellent Pingree goal keeper was tested as she made two great saves. Wing Fitzpatrick would have several great runs down the right, and it was her hard work that led to Millbrook's first goal as Fallon, at 24:05, dribbled in from the right, dodged three defenders and neatly tucked the ball behind the rushing Pingree keeper. At 19:40 Millbrook had a scary moment as sharp-shooter Steele-Norton was temporarily felled by a deflected shot that hit her in the cheek. After a brief rest on the bench and an ice pack, the fiesty junior was back on the field and would score on Millbrook's 6th penalty corner at 12:14, assist to Burdis. (Goal #23 for Steele-Norton, assist #16 for Burdis, to continue their record-breaking string). For the remainder of the half, the Millbrook offense would press and our sturdy midfield, manned by Merrill, who played her best game yet, Whalen, Burdis and Chapman denied most of Pingree's offensive thrusts. Pingree was a dangerous fast break team and did have three fast breaks which were snuffed by the experienced trio of Fracchia, Small and Lavitt. The half would end 2-0.
Goalie Nelson would start the second half with a fine boot save as Pingree came out raring to go. Pingree played a much better second half and generated more offense. In the first half they would only earn 1 penalty corner, in the opening minutes of the second half they earned 4, forcing our defense and keeper Nelson to make several good saves. In one dangerous exchange, Nelson blocked the first shot then Merrill stopped the second shot, a sure goal, with a goal line save. But at 20 minutes, the Mustangs got back on top with some great crosses that just missed their targets. At 11:03, on Millbrook's 5th corner, Steele-Norton would inject to Burdis, who teased the fly, faked a shot, and passed to pouncing Chapman who took her signature swing to score Millbrook's third goal. Assist to Burdis. At 7:03, Nelson would make a huge boot save to preserve her shut-out, and although Millbrook had plenty of offense in the closing minutes, the score would remain 3-0.
Kudos to Anthony, Roemer and Duhoski who all contributed to the win by playing great field hockey when they were on the field. Having such depth and experience on our bench increases our competitive edge.
