Cosmos get a boost from Windsor in field Hockey title win

The Cosmos defeated Woodstock 1-0 to win the Division II state championship in Burlington, their first field hockey title in 30 years.

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Sports > High-School Cosmos Get a Boost From Windsor in Field Hockey Title Win Woodstock's Sarah Yates reacts to the team's 1-0 loss to Springfield in the Division II state championship game in Burlington, Vt., on November 5, 2016. (Valley News - Geoff Hansen) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Purchase a reprint » Springfield teammates Angelina Bigwood, left, and Ashleay Wilcox hug after the Cosmos defeated Woodstock 1-0 to win the Division II state championship in Burlington, Vt., on November 5, 2016. They are two of four Windsor High School students who play on the team because their school didn't have a field hockey team this season. (Valley News - Geoff Hansen) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Purchase a reprint » Springfield's Maddi Macie, center, and Meranda Keough defend an attack by Woodstock's Sarah Yates (10) in the first half of the state championship game in Burlington, Vt., on November 5, 2016. In the background are Woodstock's Lily D'Anna (3) and Springfield's Madee Stagner. Springfield won, 1-0. (Valley News - Geoff Hansen) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Purchase a reprint » Previous Next Previous Next By Jared Pendak Valley News Staff Writer Saturday, November 05, 2016 Print WOODSTOCK VT WOODSTOCK HIGH Burlington — When Springfield High field hockey co-coaches Lyndsie Perkins and Kelley DeAngelis learned they’d be receiving players from the defunct program at neighboring Windsor High, they figured to be getting a boost, if nothing else. As it turned out, what they got was just enough to send the Cosmos to the top of Vermont Division II. Freshman Windsor student Angelina Bigwood deposited the lone goal on a pass out of a scramble from Karlee Brown, lifting Springfield over Woodstock, 1-0, Saturday in the D-II championship game at the University of Vermont’s Moulton-Winder Field. No. 4 Springfield (11-4-1) controlled much of the second half and withstood a late barrage of Woodstock penalty corners to secure its first title since 1986. The Cosmos’ defense — which included another Windsor product in sophomore Meranda Keough — pounced on loose balls to help hand Woodstock just its second shutout this year and first since Sept. 30. Springfield goalie Aunna Parker made five saves for the Cosmos’ 11th shutout win this year and third consecutive 1-0 win in the postseason. Bigwood also scored the lone goal on Monday in Springfield’s semifinal win over Harwood. “I’m so incredibly happy, not just for Springfield High, but for the community as a whole and the Windsor girls,” said Perkins, a Cosmos player during the program’s previous final appearance, a loss to Mount Abraham 10 years ago. “Those girls have done such a great job joining our team and contributing.” Ashleay Wilcox and Bigwood have developed into two of the Cosmos’ most powerful offensive weapons, with Bigwood tallying more than a dozen goals this year to lead the team. She was inspired to improve her stickwork by Wilcox, a senior who’d played field hockey in Windsor since third grade before the varsity program folded in 2015 due to lack of participation. “Before this year, (longtime Yellowjackets coach) Sandy Clary and (assistant) Jody Wood were the only people to ever coach me,” Wilcox said. “It was a little strange coming to this team, but it’s been fantastic. We have 11 seniors and have really come together. It’s been an amazing experience.” Woodstock (10-5-1) generated most of the pressure early, keeping the ball primarily in Springfield’s end before the tempo stalled and midfielders began taking over play. Wasps coach Annie Doton called timeout 16:17 before halftime, reminding her team to stay aggressive and hustle to generate scoring chances. They did just that near the five-minute mark, as Mariah Luce beat Springfield’s Emilia Batista and sprinted ahead for a one-on-one chance with another defender. Luce’s shot was blocked and deflected near the goalmouth. Miranda Johnson was there for a follow-up bid, but Luce had tripped over the goalie’s leg and fell onto the shot awkwardly. Luce had to leave the game momentarily following the play. “That was our best chance of the game,” Doton said. “We thought there would be other opportunities like that.” During halftime, the Wasps talked about attacking from the posts rather than squaring up against Parker, who’s always quick to boot a ball in front of her. Springfield instead did most of the attacking in the second half, though legitimate chances remained scarce. The Cosmos finally broke through following their third penalty corner of the half, resulting in a scrum before Brown slid it over to the left side for Bigwood. Her one-timer plunked past Wasps keeper Molly Henne (two saves) with 19:12 remaining. “There was a lot happening on that play, a lot of people around the goal,” Bigwood said. “I just did the best I could to get to the post and (Brown) got it to me.” The Wasps had five penalty corners inside of 7:30 and executed some strong passing during their last-gasp stretch. Lily Doton fired off the line for Luce, who passed to Miranda Johnson for a chance halted by Parker. Parker later had a pair of kick saves against Loretta Blakeney, the second coming with 30 seconds remaining to help preserve Springfield’s first title in 30 years. “This team has been through a lot this year, and we deserve this,” Perkins said. “We were the better team.” http://www.vermonttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/RH/20161106/SPORTS02/161109775 http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20161106/SPORTS02/161109775