Field hockey Hawks stay on page - avenge an earlier loss

Varsity hawks defeat hastings 4-0 in exhibition play. Photo by Gav

Varsity field hockey exact a measure of revenge with 4-0 win over Hastings

By Terrance gavan

Oh, you will hear teams opine, in the backwash of a disappointing defeat, that they’ve put it all behind them.

   And you will watch coaches shrug off an early season loss.

   But deep down, somewhere in the inner psyches, teams burdened with the sum of all hopes and promise, take every defeat as apersonal affront.

   Welcome to Red Hawk Varsity field hockey.

   A solid front of friends and partners who just plain don’t like to lose.

   So when they lost to a talented North Hastings team in the final of the Sir Robert Borden tourney in Ottawa last month - in a shootout following a 0-0 regulation tie - you can imagine that it didn’t sit well with the feisty contingent from Hal High.

   And you can bet that those same Red Hawks along with their coach Caley Sisson, were counting the days to last Thursday.

   The two teams met again in a cold, bleak downpour on the Hawks’ pitch, with their old coach - and new retiree – Paul Morissette behind the whistle.

   The game, a much anticipated matchup between two very solid squads lived up to its advanced billing.

   Hawks scored three first half goals and added another second half marker on the way to another shutout over the highly touted Huskies.

   The 4-0 victory was a statement game, but also extended an unprecedented defensive streak.

   The Hawks have run their string of regulation shutouts to 12 games – the loss to Hastings was decided in a shootout 2-1, after a 0-0 regulation finish - and their overall record is 11-1.

   Perhaps more amazing is the 52-0 tally in goals for and against.

   Sisson is a tactical coach, with a clearly defined goal for the season.

   She says the convincing win over the Huskies last Thursday answered some questions and mjaybe cemented some notions in the minds of her very talented charges.

   “North Hastings definitely played harder in the second half of our game, allowing only one goal,” says Sisson.  “Our team made adjustments, after the Ottawa tourney - to play a better offensive game against the North Hastings defensive system in preparation for this rematch. The girls adjusted very well and played with continual intensity. We feel that this game was a big success, but we will continue to prep to our next meeting, which is very likely to happen at COSSA.”

   Lindsey Pogue scored twice, while Grace Diezel and Jillian Mayhew added singles. Jessica Duchene and goalie Jenn Woolacott provided stalwart back end support as usual.

   The Hawks beat Adam Scott 6-0 in league play last Tuesday afternoon. Grace Diezel scored a pair and single tallies went to Jillian Mayhew, Lucy Belli, Laura Pottier, and Lindsey Pogue.

   The Kawartha championships go in Peterborough on Oct 26, while the COSSA Finals are slated for Bancroft Friday, Oct 29.

   And of course the OFSAA tourney will play out in Ingersoll on Nov. 4-6.

   Earlier in the year, Caley Sisson just smiled when asked about ultimate goals for this very talented unit.

   “We’re on a mission,” said Sisson.

   No secret that the final portion of that mission includes a trip to Ingersoll in November.

Play hard ... win well!

Their play this year? Stellar. Exciting and dominant.

 A team on a mission! The Hawks finished their league
play this week unblemished.

Jenn Woolacott has not allowed a goal in regulation all season.
Now she isn't that busy just yet. But now that the zones are uponj us -
well it figures to get a little busier in the crease.