Varsity Field Hockey Wins Overtime Game Over Holy Child
The NCS Varsity Field Hockey team pulled out a come-from-behind road victory over ISL opponent Holy Child, with a 2-1 overtime win on October 22. In the first half, although NCS had an 8-1 advantage in penalty corners, the Eagles were unable to generate many quality chances and Holy Child outshot NCS 6-4 in the half. With eight minutes to play in the first half, Holy Child mounted a fast break after stopping an NCS penalty corner. Although NCS goalie Sam Gibby ‘19 (8 total saves) was able to make the initial save, on the rebound Holy Child was able to score on a low ball through a high traffic area in front of Gibby. NCS proved equal to the challenge, however, with forwards Selin Everett ‘17, Claire McGinnis ‘17, and Margaret Dent ‘16 working the ball upfield to draw a corner in the final minute of the half. The Holy Child goalie made an initial save, but Dent kept the rebound in the circle on the right side and sent a crossing pass towards the left side, where Everett one-timed it in to tie the game with 17 seconds in the half. In the second half, both sides played a strong defensive game, with only five combined shots on goal (3 for NCS, 2 for Holy Child). Led by strong midfield play from Meghan McGovern ‘17, co-Captain Rosie Delk ‘16, and Natalie Belt ‘16, the Eagles were pressuring as time ran down in the half but were unable to break through for the winning score. NCS was able to build on its momentum in the sudden-victory overtime period, however. NCS won the coin toss and hit the ball forward, but Holy Child gained possession and tried to break down the left side of the field. Co-Captain Hadley Irwin ‘16 came flying through for the tackle and take-away, and hit a cross ball that McGovern picked up in the midfield. McGovern and Everett eliminated several defenders with a beautiful series of one-time passes, and then McGovern hit a sprinting Dent with a beautiful lead pass at the top of the Holy Child circle. Dent received the ball without slowing, controlled it, and touched it around the charging Holy Child goalie to give the Eagles the overtime win at the 48 second mark.