Field Hockey Falls to Tilton's Agression

On Wednesday, Oct. 19th, Exeter’s field hockey team lost to Tilton 3-1. After getting shutout by NMH only four days earlier, Big Red’s offense was thriving once again. Many of the Exeter girls agreed that their success against Tilton came from their team play and that they were truly working together. They needed the momentum and chemistry to take them into their game against Brooks on Saturday.

The game against Brooks was special because it was both Family Weekend and the annual breast cancer awareness game. With their bright pink uniforms, the girls took to the field on the gloomy Saturday afternoon. Parents lined up around the perimeter of the field to cheer on the team.

Prep Emma Watson said that “everyone was a little nervous and a little psyched” because of the big crowds. She also noted, “Being a little nervous is good, but being too nervous can cost you the game.”

Exeter had a tough start to the game, partially due to that nervousness. However, the girls quickly calmed down and got to work. The team had already faced Brooks in the beginning of the season at the field hockey jamboree, so they knew to expect a tough game. Going into the game, Brooks had an impressive 6-4-1 season record and had beaten a handful of teams to which Exeter had lost.

“We have a strong goalie and strong defense, but even a seconds hesitation can cause a goal.”

As usual, Exeter played well on defense and stopped many of its opponent’s advances. The Big Red goal keepers were the backbone of the team defensive line and had many saves during this game. Even though the girls continued to steal the ball, block shots and force other turnovers, Brooks’s offense was relentless. Eventually, Brooks began to find its way through the ferocious Exeter defense and added goals to the scoreboard.

Watson explained the importance of timing during the game. “We have a strong goalie and strong defense, but even a seconds hesitation can cause a goal,” she said. Unfortunately, Exeter found themselves trailing for the remainder of the game and could not close the gap.

Although Exeter was only able to score once during this game, they still had many chances. Their opponents played well together on defense, but Exeter found ways to get shots off multiple times. The bounces just did not go Exeter’s way during the game, and Brooks held off any other scoring attempts after the team’s first goal.

The team was disappointed with the game’s outcome because they knew they could have done better. Lower Catherine Griffin agreed that the team was frustrated and that they “need to work on maintaining momentum even after the other team scores.”

The team has two important games against Hotchkiss and Tabor this week. They will hope to rebound from the tough loss to Brooks and win both of their games this week.

In addition, Exeter’s rematch against Andover draws closer, and upper Johna Vandergraaf said that the team will try to use these last couple games to improve and prepare to crush their rivals.