Windsor field hockey speeds past Springfield, 5-1

Windsor opened their season aggressively, using their speed and depth to hand the Cosmos a 5-1 defeat at Michelle Porter Field on Tuesday.

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Windsor field hockey speeds past Springfield, 5-1 Christopher Shaban 22 hrs ago 0 FH WS Springfield's Chloe Jerman-Brown and Kaelie Peoples double-team Windsor's Karen Kapuscinski on this play Tuesday afternoon. Kapuscinski scored the last goal of the day as Windsor won 5-1. Christopher Shaban SPRINGFIELD, Vt.- Windsor opened their season aggressively, using their speed and depth to hand the Cosmos a 5-1 defeat at Michelle Porter Field on Tuesday. Springfield co-coaches Kelly DeAngelis and Lyndsie Hammond-Perkins and their short bench couldn’t get any rhythm against a very quick Yellow Jacket squad. Windsor struck early, with Hannah Wood rattling the back of the cage, as the extended time in the zone finally paid off at the 26 minute mark. The Springfield defensive group of Lucy Coutermarsh, Kaelie Peoples and Jordan Noyes were under constant attack. Windsor was in control and peppering shots on net when Angelina Bigwood’s rip put the Yellow Jackets up 2-0 as the offensive pressure from Jenna Hood, Linda Ricard, Bigwood and Wood just kept increasing. “I think we spaced the field pretty well today and everyone was where they should be as I tried to find post players for good looks on net,” said Windsor’s Alyssa Slocum after the game. Hood then scored, giving Windsor a 3-0 lead on a nice assist from Bigwood. The Cosmos were trying to counter-attack, and when they did, Makaila Dorcely’s strong midfield play created some open space. Hannah Presch gathered in a loose ball in the Windsor zone and hit a rocket that found the net to cut the lead to 3-1 heading into the break. “I thought we played the style we wanted and I kept sending in fresh legs to keep the aggressive play going all during the game,” said Windsor’s Wood. That aggressive play was evident in the second half as Windsor was playing downhill for the next 30 minutes. Springfield had a hard time getting the ball across midfield and Windsor was swarming to every ball. For the Lady Jacks, Ashley Grela, Kaeli Bennett and Reese Perry were dominant. “It felt funny because this was my team 2 years ago when Windsor didn’t have a program, but it’s turned into a great rivalry and I love playing against Springfield,” said Perry when asked about playing some of her ex-teammates. Peyton Richardson’s goal put Windsor up 4-1 with just over 23 minutes remaining, and Karen Kapuscinski’s score came off a redirect from the stick of Bennett to end the scoring on the day, as Windsor wrapped up their strong road win. Springfield’s Paige Congdon’s face was still red when I caught up with her after playing almost the entire game. She said, “Windsor is a very good team and I think we just wore down today and I think we’ll improve as a group.” Windsor used two goalkeepers Tuesday, as Glenna Ricard and Madi Leduc combined to make one save, while Springfield’s Anna Church had a great game stopping 16 shots. Windsor had the edge in corners 12-5. Windsor had a balanced attack with Wood, Bigwood, Hood, Richardson and Kapuscinski all scoring goals. Bigwood (2), Wood (2), Slocum and Bennett all dished out assists. Springfield’s Presch’s goal came unassisted. Windsor stands at 1-0 and will host Fair Haven on Friday while the Cosmos fall to 0-2 and will travel to Bellows Falls on Thursday.