Malden High School Athletic Round-up

Note: The following was posted by Malden High publicity coordinator Paul Famiglietti. 

Varsity Field Hockey 

Malden v. Gloucester 

After coming off from a disappointing loss to Bedford on Monday, the Varsity Field Hockey Team ended their week with two very exciting wins.

On Wednesday, Sept. 28 the Golden Tornadoes faced off against the Gloucester Fighting Fisherman, defeating them 5-1.

Senior Rebecca Krigman scored early in the game to take the lead for Malden. Four minutes later, junior Bridget Furlong scored the second goal for the Tornadoes. Just before halftime, Rebecca Kigman scored the third goal of the game, giving Malden the lead 3-0.

Gloucester came out fighting in the second half but could not penetrate Malden’s outstanding defensive end lead by Captain Kiara Amos and Juniors Jessalynne Brown and Amanda Ramsey. Captain Stacey Sousa netted another goal for Malden, bringing the score to 4-0. Junior Catherine Poirier scored her first varsity goal to bring the total to five for the Tornadoes.

Just when Malden thought the fight was out of the Fisherman, Gloucester was able to get one on the scoreboard with minutes left in the game, bringing the final score, 5-1.

“This was a great victory for the team,” stated Coach Susan Famiglietti. “We have had some tough games recently on the road. It has been tough playing on grass fields, and the team executed everything perfectly on their home turf field today. Our team played a good clean game, some of the best field hockey I’ve seen the team play.

"Our forward line set up some great plays inside the circle and our midfield played flawlessly. Juniors Bridget Furlong and Marissa Lally worked diligently on the midfield making some clean tackles and kept the ball moving forward. Emily Hoffman is able to bring the ball down the field dodging everything in sight. Emily always makes it look effortless, and is such an asset to the team.”

Junior Emily Moran was exceptional in the net making all the right plays to secure the win for Malden. Junior Elyse Valente, Seniors Brittany Powers and Emily Hoffman contributed with some great set ups to get the assists for the win.

Malden v. Methuen 

On Friday, Sept. 30 the Tornadoes faced the Methuen Rangers in one of the most exciting games of the season.

Methuen scored first, fifteen minutes into the game. Junior Marissa Lally scored her first varsity goal for Malden to tie it up only minutes later.

The Rangers came back and were able to take the lead again. With only minutes left in the first half, Senior Rebecca Krigman executed a beautiful breakaway. Keeping the ball close, Rebecca dodged Methuen’s goalie for a clean shot to tie the game up. Nine minutes into the second half, Krigman took a piercing drive from the far side of the circle, on her nonstick side, to put the Tornadoes ahead, 3-2.

Halfway through the second half, a foul was committed by Malden, awarding Methuen a penalty stroke. Malden’s goaltender, Junior Erika Hanson, blocked the shot effortlessly.

“That was a major play that helped save the game for us,” stated Coach Famiglietti.

With five minutes remaining in the game, Krigman ran another breakaway, scoring her third goal of the game to secure the win for the Tornadoes, 4-2.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the team,” Famiglietti said. “This was the first time Malden beat Methuen in many years. The team has practiced very hard and played perfectly. We didn’t have many turnovers, the passes were plentiful, and some great plays were made inside the circle. Our defense was able to keep the ball out of our end. It really was a great team effort with everyone giving 110%.”

Malden goes into their next week with a 5-6 record. “We have some tough games ahead of us, but if we play like we did these past two games we should be able to break that 500 mark,” said Famiglietti.

JV Field Hockey

Malden v. Gloucester 

The Malden JV Field Hockey team tied Gloucester on Wednesday, Sept 28 at Pine Banks thanks to a three goal performance by Kristen Leonard, 3-3.

"It was definitely nice to be on our own turf,” said Coach Kim Barber. "We've been away for a couple weeks now and it's a lot harder to play on the grass and at other team’s fields, it's nice to be home.”

Goaltender Amanda Iraola defended the Tornado net. Sophomore Haley Sutera missed scoring, hitting the goal post twice.

"I couldn't do that if I tried, but her day is coming soon,” said Coach Barber. “The game was a great all-around team performance. The girls did an excellent job tonight bringing the ball down the field, dodging, and tackling, which is what we have been focusing ourselves on.”

Barber cited the play of freshman Jill Powers, who successfully carried the ball down the sidelines a few times, dodging players, and setting up Malden in front of the net. Other players that played well during the game were Julie Bourgea and Tamires Matos, both on defense.

Malden v. Methuen

On Friday, Sept 30, the JV Field Hockey team beat Methuen, 1-0.

Kristen Leonard earned the win, scoring for the Tornadoes. Leonard has been performing excellent as a forward bringing her total goals for the week to four.

Sophomore’s Julie Bourgea and Tamires Matos put up the defensive wall for the Tornadoes keeping the offensive shots to a minimum. Emily Moran and Amanda Iraola shared goaltending duties in the Malden net.