Witches Field Hockey Ties Home Opener with Spark and Smarts

When I watch field hockey, containing my excitement is about as unlikely as Bill Belichick opening his heart and getting warm and fuzzy at a post-game press conference.

I attended the Witches' varsity season home opener against the Gloucester High Fishermen on Tuesday (they lost their first game against Swampscott 2-1 on Sept. 8). After I arrived at Geswell Field, it took less than a minute before I was back in field hockey fanatic mode.

Down 2-0 after Tuesday's first half against Gloucester, the Witches reconvened with teammates to reassess their strategy for the second half.

Following the Witches' half-time huddle with Coach Kara Beauregard, the squad of 11 that came off the sideline looked like a completely different team. After a series of smart passes that led to several breakaways, as well as strong offensive and defensive penalty corner* play, Senior Antonia Randazzo managed to put the Witches on the board with two goals scored about 10 minutes apart. Assists came from Julia Jennings and Sophie Wyke, while Goalie Madi Holman made a total of eight saves.

Despite some heavy pressure on Gloucester's defensive end, the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

"The first half was kind of rough for us," Beauregard said after the game. After regrouping during half-time, Beauregard said she felt her team "really picked it up… It's a great group of girls; they really want to work hard," she continued.

Though the team is coming off a 2-13-3 record in 2009, Beauregard said she has high hopes for her first year leading the varsity squad.

"I think we'll surprise a lot of people," she said.

Their season may have just started, but the Witches have already had a long journey together, and it hasn't been easy. Last March, former teammate Julia Gauthier, 19, was killed in a car acccident in Lynn. The Witches kicked off their season opener on Sept. 8 with a dedication to Gauthier. 

I have to admit, the Witches got me with their first home game, hook, line and sinker. These are some girls to watch; a tenacious team with gusto. After falling flat in Tuesday's first half, the Witches took the spirit of teamwork to heart—they undid the deficit swiftly, smartly and with a whole lot of spark.

Field Hockey Definition of the Week:

*Penalty Corner Play

When a foul occurs within the circle (the area in front of the net), the team that made the foul must defend their net with their goalie and only four defensive players — the rest of the defensive players go back to the 50-yard line. With only four players and a goalie against a full squad of offenders, the offending team is more likely to score.

Salem Witches Varsity Field Hockey Team 2010

Captains:

Abbie Noone (captain), Allie LaMonica (captain), Rachel Disick (captain), Carena Wong, Antonia Randazzo, Julia Jennings, Sarah Jinks, Sophie Wyke, Sam Mento, Athena Goodwin, Skye Kinnon, Shannon MacArthur, Bree Feman, Kellie Sacco, Steph Giunta, Madi Holman.

Next Game: Thursday, Sept. 16, 3:45 p.m. at Malden High School.