Needham Field Hockey Flourishes Under Lights

It never hurts to be a second half team.

After a back-and-forth first half that ended tied at one in the cold and rain, the Needham field hockey team (4-3-2) warmed up in the second half and scored a 2-1 home win over Dover-Sherborn (5-2-1).

"Home field advantage under the lights always inspires my girls to play better games, so I think that mattered to have fans and support out here," said Needham coach Katie Brady.

The offense really came together in the second half, orchestrating a number of transition drives and setting up scoring chances with great passing plays. Early in the second half the Rockets were able to move the ball through the midfield and wide to forward Katie Frascotti, who won a corner. The ball was played back in to Frascotti who put it on net and was rewarded with a game-winning goal as the ball bounced off a defender's stick and into the net. Frascotti also assisted on fellow senior captain Rebecca Nobles' first-half goal.
 
"There was excellent teamwork between the forwards," said Brady. "They were relying on each other and that was excellent. When they can pass they're definitely a much stronger team."
 
Important in transition and setting up the forwards was midfielder Elizabeth Thornton.
 
"I had really strong play by Elizabeth Thornton," said Brady. "She can place that ball so perfectly into the circle and she gave us a lot of opportunities to score."
 
While the Rockets kept the pressure on up front they relied on strong defense to stand up to the Raiders' counter-attacks. Senior goalie Harriet Sussman was very solid as the last line of defense, and when Dover-Sherborn broke through senior defender Emma Cotton risked life and limb to back her up.
 
"Harriet Sussman is an amazing goalie with excellent saves," said Brady. "She was able to clear it out and if anything did get by Harriet, Emma Cotton was able to sweep up."
 
Success at both ends relied on a solid midfield that allowed Needham to win the possession game and neutralize a dangerous Dover-Sherborn offense.
 
"Caroline Cranna stepped up new into that midfield position," said Brady, "and she did an excellent job playing conservative defense. She was able to give that fast Dover team space and channel them to the sideline which allowed her to jab at the ball and let them make a bad play, so we could maintain that possession."
 
After some early struggles the Rockets are hitting their stride at a good time and hope to bring this momentum to another tough opponent.
 
 "We had some tough losses at the beginning, but I feel like the girls now have the momentum and got their speed back up," said Brady. "We play Walpole here at home on Wednesday and they're a Bay State powerhouse, so that will be a tough game, but the girls are feeling positive about that game and ready to take that on."