High School Field Hockey: Cards happy at home

Taylor Bell, of Stevens, shoots an assist from teammate Jilli Ouellette out of the air to score on Mascenic in the fourth quarter of their game at Monadnock Park in Claremont, N.H., on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Bell scored two for the Cardinals in their 3-1 win. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

Taylor Bell, of Stevens, shoots an assist from teammate Jilli Ouellette out of the air to score on Mascenic in the fourth quarter of their game at Monadnock Park in Claremont, N.H., on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Bell scored two for the Cardinals in their 3-1 win. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. VALLEY NEWS PHOTOGRAPHS — James M. Patterson

Stevens goalie Sarah Wheeler kicks a shot from Mascenic away from the goal at Monadnock Park in Claremont, N.H., on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Stevens won 3-1. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

Stevens goalie Sarah Wheeler kicks a shot from Mascenic away from the goal at Monadnock Park in Claremont, N.H., on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Stevens won 3-1. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. James M. Patterson

Emma Bell, of Stevens, left, moves the ball down the field under pressure from Iris Traffie, of Mascenic, right, at Monadnock Park in Claremont, N.H., on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Stevens won 3-1. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

Emma Bell, of Stevens, left, moves the ball down the field under pressure from Iris Traffie, of Mascenic, right, at Monadnock Park in Claremont, N.H., on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Stevens won 3-1. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. James M. Patterson

Jilli Ouellette leaps on her way to celebrate the Cardinals' 3-1 win over Mascenic with her Stevens teammates at Monadnock Park in Claremont, N.H., on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

Jilli Ouellette leaps on her way to celebrate the Cardinals' 3-1 win over Mascenic with her Stevens teammates at Monadnock Park in Claremont, N.H., on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

By ALEX CERVANTES

Valley News Staff Writer

Published: 10-09-2024 5:01 PM

CLAREMONT — A loud roar erupted from the Stevens High field hockey sideline upon the conclusion of its game against Mascenic on Tuesday night. A similar elation reverberated from the opposite end of the field where the Cardinals’ cheering contingent sat.

It was a jubilant scene under the lights at Monadnock Park.

With a 3-1 victory over the visiting Vikings, Stevens extended its unbeaten streak at home to 14 games — its last loss coming on Oct. 18, 2022. The late-night triumph also secured the Cardinals’ 11th consecutive win this campaign but, arguably more important, it avenged their season-opening defeat to previously unbeaten Mascenic.

“It really feels great, especially because they were undefeated,” said Taylor Bell, who tallied two goals for Stevens. “They were the team to beat, and we haven’t lost at our home field in two years now.”

The sting from the two teams’ first meeting still lingered.

Second-year coach Abbey Rouillard, a former Cardinal who played collegiate field hockey at the University of New England, believes the match on Aug. 30 shouldn’t have been a loss after her team surrendered a goal she deemed “questionable.”

In spite of the frustration, Rouillard welcomed the chance to host Mascenic in a night game after the Vikings asked for a later start time because of bus issues.

Opposing teams are typically wary of playing the Cardinals under such conditions, citing that it gives Rouillard’s squad a supposed advantage. Rouillard contends that isn’t the case, especially entering a game where her team was far more anxious than it typically is.

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“We don’t really play very many games under the lights,” Rouillard said. “It’s hit or miss whether we get to practice on this field or not, and we did not get to practice on it (Monday). My girls were definitely way more nervous than they were for many other (night games), because we have been able to do at least something on this field before we play.

“So this was a really big win for us. Definitely something for the girls to be very proud about.”

Stevens, which debuted a new formation this fall, has been on a tear in the 11 games since its loss to Mascenic, having now outscored its opponents 65-5. Rouillard credits the Cardinals’ impressive run of form to the team’s mentality shift and positional versatility.

Rouillard has harped on her players being interchangeable across the pitch, prioritizing the development of athletes who are able to play both sides of the ball. Players who have been traditionally slotted as defenders now find themselves involved in the attack and vice versa, she said.

The 2013 Stevens graduate has been witness to “a great progression” from her players since the start of the season. Tuesday night showed that the Cardinals are “really starting to get it,” Rouillard said.

Early in the first quarter, Stevens successfully thwarted a couple Viking penalty corners before Olivia St. Aubin’s unassisted tally with 5 minutes, 10 seconds left in the frame handed the hosts a one-goal advantage.

Mascenic found an equalizer just 2:42 into the second quarter as Kiahna Farrey slid a shot past Cardinals goalkeeper Sarah Wheeler. The Vikings would continue to threaten the Stevens defense for the remainder of the game, but timely stops from Wheeler and Paige Simonds held Mascenic to its one goal.

On the other end, Bell’s two tallies, one in the second quarter and one in the fourth, ensured another Cardinals win. Her second goal, which came off a penalty corner with 8:59 remaining in the game, saw her deflect the initial strike from Jilli Ouellette into the air before whacking the ball into the back of the cage.

“We had a new lineup at the beginning of the season, so we had to take some time to figure that out,” Bell said. “But it’s really clicking now, and we’re doing really well.”

Said St. Aubin: “We’re definitely learning how to play our positions better. It’s come a long way.”

Stevens will face Newport (5-5-1) on Thursday in its penultimate regular-season contest and final home game this fall. The Cardinals, who finished with a 12-3-1 record in Rouillard’s first season, are searching for their first state title game appearance since 2011. Stevens has never won an NHIAA field hockey state championship.

“This was a big game, and our next game against Newport is going to be another big game for us,” Rouillard said. “(It’s) really just knowing that we’ve got to take it one at a time and then, hopefully, we can keep the momentum going through the playoffs.”

Alex Cervantes can be reached at acervantes@vnews.com or 603-727-7302.