Wildcats Sneak By Wamps in Field Hockey, 3-2

With the stroke of Abby Macomber, the Milton High field hockey team dodged a bullet. The senior tri-captain led the way, recording two goals and sophomore goalkeeper Monica Riordan held the fort, stopping 12 shots as the Wildcats escaped with a 3-2 victory over Braintree in Tuesday's Bay State League matchup at Braintree High School.

With the victory, coupled with a season opening 2-1 win over Brookline on Wednesday and a 3-2 heartbreaking defeat to Norwood on Saturday, the Wildcats currently stand at 2-1 overall.

For first-year coach Jamie Donovan, it's been a dream come true. The former Wildcat senior captain also realizes that there's plenty of work to be done. Donovan, who graduated in 1999, served as a captain for the Wildcats' field hockey squad in her playing days.

"It's been a dream come true coaching these girls,'' said Donovan, who previously coached the junior varsity squad for four seasons. "To coach in your hometown is just an amazing opportunity. I've been very encouraged with what I've seen so far from the girls, but at the same time, we also have to play with the level that we're capable we're playing at. We've been complacent at times, and we have to continue to play with high intensity."

In the game's opening minutes, the Wildcats drew first blood as Isabel Andrews struck with just 1:51 elapsed in the contest. Off a pass from Ines Campbell from the middle of the field, Andrews maneuvered around a pair of Wamp defenders and launched a shot from just inside the circle that eluded screened goalkeeper Meghan Dougherty for the early 1-0 lead.

"It was great that we were able to come and score right in the opening minutes,'' said Donovan "That helped set the tone of the game, but we let them back in it. Our midfielders did a nice job helping out our defense."

Riordan, who stopped nine shots in the first half, denied several Wamp scoring opportunities.

Off a pass from Lauren Hynes, Kat DiMascio broke loose and fired a shot from point blank range that Riordan calmly turned aside. Minutes later, the Wamps nearly tied the score on a penalty corner. Off a pass from Amanda Abramson, Stephanie Woods delivered a low shot that landed right inside Riordan's inner right pad just outside the crease.

"(Riordan) has been amazing, and she came through with some big saves for us,'' said Donovan. "She's been huge for us so far this season, and she's been the rock back there. She's been able to keep opposing shooters in check, and for just her second year playing field hockey, she's been outstanding."

After failing to capitalize on multiple scoring chances in the first half, the Wamps tied the contest at 1-1 with 7:22 remaining. With a Wildcat called for a foul in the box, the Wamps were awarded a penalty stroke as DiMascio fired a shot that eluded Riordan short side.

In the half's final minutes, the Wamps continued to pressure the Wildcat defensive zone as DiMascio and Abramson fired several shots from close range, as Riordan continued to hold strong.

Early in the second half, the Wildcats retaliated, and capitalized on their first scoring chance en route to a 2-1 lead. Off a scrum just inside the circle, Nelson fired a shot from close range, Doughtry stopped the initial shot, but Macomber tipped in the rebound short side with 28:02 remaining.

Controlling the ball throughout the offensive zone, the Wildcats managed to strike again with 20:26 left en route to a 3-1 lead. On a penalty corner, Macomber struck with her second goal of the game, snatching up the loose ball inside the circle and teeing off a shot that landed past a screened Dougherty.

Facing a two goal deficit, the Wamps stormed back and nearly closed the gap within 3-2 with 6:33 remaining. On a breakaway opportunity, Abramson unloaded a shot from point blank range that Riordan sprawled across and delivered a diving save. On the ensuing rebound, Abramson nearly poked the ball through, but Riordan deflected the shot wide.

Only 1:10 later, the Wamps would close within 3-2 as Meghan Phipp redirected a shot from the top of the circle into the back of the cage.

Following a brief time out, the Wildcats regrouped as the defensive led efforts of Campbell and Hana DiTullo limited the Wamp offensive attack to just one quality shot over the final 4:00.

"Our defense stepped it up when they had to,'' said Donovan. "We were able to shadow them effectively and limit their opportunities. We need to play with a little more consistency, especially with the toughest part of the schedule coming up in the next week."

The Wildcats return to action on Wednesday in a non-league match against Ursuline Academy before traveling to Natick on Thursday.