WEST CANAAN — Mascoma High field hockey coach Jenn Hammond has reminded her team constantly this season to take it one game at a time — but not for the reasons that phrase has become a cliche, but because nothing is guaranteed in this unprecedented year.
Even before Friday afternoon’s clash with visiting Hanover, the Royals learned Monday’s game at Lebanon had already been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns at the city’s schools.
The messaging paid off against Hanover, as Carmen Zani and Brianna Withington each scored in Mascoma’s 2-0 victory, topping the Marauders for the second time in three days.
“It was really sweet beating them on their home turf the other night,” Hammond admitted. “I think we used that momentum, carried it into practice yesterday and focused on what we needed to work on to play even better here.
“We needed to take away the middle, we knew (No.) 4 (Kate Blaisdell) is a dominating player, so take her out of the equation as best as you can. And then just execute offensively, something we had a problem with earlier this season.”
The Royals’ strategy entering the day was to get as many players up on the offensive end as possible. Hammond even had her midfielders play high, trying to keep the ball in the upper third.
The plan worked perfectly when the Royals opened the Friday’s scoring with three minutes, nine seconds remaining in the first quarter. Mascoma had pushed the ball up and taken a shot, and Evans tried to kick away the ball but Zani got her stick on the rebound by the post.
Mascoma produced three corner opportunities in the second period but couldn’t convert. The Royals took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
“We told our defense just make sure you really stay low and mark up,” Hammond said on her team’s strategy. “Push it up as hard as you can and we’ll try to push it up the field (offensively).”
Hanover started the fourth quarter with possession, but a steal from a Mascoma midfielder moved the ball into the Royals’ offensive attack.
Zani received the ball and quickly sent a pass over to teammate Natalie Poitras, who took a shot that ricocheted off of a Marauder stick. Withington then got a shot past Hanover keeper Olivia Evans.
The score came 37 seconds into the fourth quarter, giving Mascoma a two-goal advantage it wouldn’t lose.
Sophia Guziewicz and Chloe Crate stood the test on defense for Mascoma. The duo kept Blaisdell under control for most of the game, double-teaming the Northeastern commit when necessary.
The Marauders couldn’t convert on any of their 10 corner opportunities, struggling to get shots off on goal and also fumbling entry passes.
Blaisdell sent a ball to Natalie Feyrer from over 25 yards out, directly in front of the Hanover bench, with just under seven minutes remaining. Feyrer went for the pass but couldn’t reach it, and no other Marauders were able to either.
“I’m proud of them because they’re learning, improving and doing the best that they can,” said Hanover coach Jean Essex, who only had two subs available Friday. “I don’t think that it’s for lack of effort; we’re young.”
Both teams competed in their respective division’s state championships last season, Hanover in D-II and Mascoma in D-III.
Neither team really knows what playoffs will look like, but being able to play each other has been a good measuring stick nonetheless.
“With COVID, you have to play every game like it’s your last,” Hammond said.
NOTES: Evans finished with five saves in net for the Marauders. … Mascoma keeper Emily Conrad finished with four. … Mascoma prepared for Wednesday night’s 2-1 victory at Hanover by practicing in the school’s gym with tennis balls and socks on sticks. … The Royals won’t be playing at Lebanon on Monday, but there is a chance the game will be rescheduled for later in the week. The Royals play Thursday when they travel to Kearsarge. … Hanover turns around and hosts Hartford on Saturday morning. When that game is concludes, the Marauders will have played six games since Oct. 1.
Pete Nakos can be reached at pnakos@vnews.com.