Cosmos seek state championship for first time in 30 years

Springfield hasn't captured a state championship in field hockey since 1986. Hopefully, winning that state title 30 years ago will be a good ome

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2016-11-02 / Sports Cosmos seek state championship for first time in 30 years MIDDLEBURY, Vt. — Springfield hasn't captured a state championship in field hockey since 1986. Hopefully, winning that state title 30 years ago will be a good ome Springfield's Angelina Bigwood, shown in action in the VPA Division 2 quarterfinals, scored the winning goal in the semifinals Monday. — TIM TAYLOR/EAGLE FILE Springfield's Angelina Bigwood, shown in action in the VPA Division 2 quarterfinals, scored the winning goal in the semifinals Monday. — TIM TAYLOR/EAGLE FILE n when Saturday rolls around. Springfield, the No. 4 seed, turned back upset-minded eight seed Harwood 1-0 in the VPA Division 2 semifinals Monday, scoring the game's only goal midway through the first half. Freshman Angelina Bigwood found the back of the cage with 13:06 remaining in the period and the Cosmos' defense did the rest. Both teams brought an aggressive style of play into the clash and Springfield went on the attack early, registering several near misses. And both teams played extremely tough on defense. Each of them advanced into the semis with closely-contested 1-0 wins. Harwood knocked off top-seeded Spaulding while Springfield bested Mt. Abraham. The victory was the 10th of the season for the Cosmos, who were just 4-6-3 a season ago. There may be a little asterisk placed next to this win, however, as Bigwood actually attends Windsor, as do Ashleay Wilcox and Meranda Keough. When the Windsor program folded prior to the 2015 season the players were invited to join up with the Cosmos. They passed on the opportunity, but accepted the offer this year. “It's crazy,” Emilia Batista said after the Mt. Abe win about the Springfield-Windsor connection. “I remember freshman year they were our biggest rivals. I remember Ashleay was always one of the first girls we were supposed to be on and I'm just so happy to have her this year. She's really changed the team. She's really just pushed us to score this year which is something we've struggled with in past years.” “It's different, because most of the girls I play against in multiple sports,” Wilcox said. “To be on the same side, it's kind of weird but we've meshed well together. We play very well together.” Springfield (10-4-1) faces No. 2 Woodstock (10-4-1) in the championship game Saturday at 2 p.m at the University of Vermont. Notes: Talk about weird, this meeting may be a little strange for some of the players and the Woodstock coach, Annie Doton, who teaches at Springfield. The coach of the 1986 championship team, Joy Benson, also teaches at Springfield.H/