Slaters talk it up in win over Cosmos

Poor communication and flat energy early on almost cost the Fair Haven field hockey team a victory that coach Tosh Stickney said the team needed.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20121009/SPORTS02/710099914

Print Email Fair Haven’s Marissa Lamoureux (left) and Springfield’s Kelsey Hildreth (right) fight for the ball during Monday’s field hockey game in Fair Haven. Photo: Anthony Edwards Photo Published October 9, 2012 in the Rutland Herald Slaters talk it up in win over Cosmos By John Shramek Correspondent FAIR HAVEN — Poor communication and flat energy early on almost cost the Fair Haven field hockey team a victory that coach Tosh Stickney said the team needed. Fair Haven overcame those hindrances in the second half, though, as the team hit its offensive stride on the way to a 2-0 victory over Springfield in Marble Valley League play at Fair Haven on Monday. Shannon Halnon gave the Slaters the only goal they would need with just over 17 minutes left to play as she emerged with the ball from a mob of players camped out in front of the left side of Springfield’s goal, her shot delivering a booming echo as it bounced off the backboard of the goal. “I was particularly happy with the way goal was scored,” Stickney said. “ It was some good, solid backing up on the initial shot. We’ve been having difficulty with that, so to see them pushing, pushing, pushing after the initial shot, I was really happy with that.” Springfield started off the first five minutes of the game well, running around the Slaters with ease, but the team eventually let the intensity fall by the wayside, something coach Bindy Hathorn attributed to the lack of chemistry and experience on the field at that point. “We had a couple of injuries, so we had to sub in some girls who haven’t played other positions,” she said. “So consistency in that way was a little difficult for the girls, trying to play with girls they haven’t necessarily played with.” One of Springfield’s bright spots on the day was the play of the backs, particularly Kaylee Haskell and Maygin Jimenez. Haskell and Jimenez worked well together with the rest of the backfield, turning away most of the scoring opportunities the Slaters tried to create. The tandem did a spectacular job controlling the center of the shooting circle, deflecting most of Fair Haven’s attempts to cross the ball. “Haskell, Jimenez, our goalie (Erin) Chlebak, Kelsey Hildreth and my links have been solid for me every single game this year,” Hathorn said. “Without them I think the score would be much different than it is.” Stickney agreed with Hathorn’s assessment of her defense’s play, noting that Springfield’s defense was key to stopping the Slaters offense early on. “I think they just kept coming out and putting pressure on us,” Stickney said. “If one missed, another one was right there backing up their teammate. They did a great job carrying it out of the circle, which never gave us a second chance to shoot in the first half.” Once the Slaters upped their communication, though, not even the stellar play of Springfield’s backs could contain the offense as Fair Haven kept the pressure on Chlebak in the goal. Tarah Hubbard broke through with the insurance goal for Fair Haven with just over four minutes left to play. Chlebak made a nice play on the initial shot, slowing it down, but the ball squeaked under her cleat where Hubbard was waiting to knock it in. “When we communicate like we did in the second half, we play well,” Stickney said. “We just have to keep the level up there.” Fair Haven’s offense continued to click for the rest of the game, out-dueling Springfield in the corner shots 12-6. The Slaters also dominated the Cosmos in shots on goal with six. Jenna Alexander needed to save only one shot on goal for Fair Haven in the game. Springfield falls to 2-7-1 on the season and will travel to Bellows Falls on Tuesday to take on the Terriers. Fair Haven, meanwhile, improves to 4-6 and will also be on the road for its next game as the team travels to Windsor on Wednesday.