The Bromfield Trojans field hockey team beat the Tyngsborough Tigers 2–1 at home on Friday, Oct. 6, bringing its record to five wins, five losses, and one tie.
The first 10 minutes of the game were especially rocky for the Tigers, a turf team that had to work to acclimate to Bromfield’s bumpy field. Bromfield was able to get a few corners but did not score.
Once Tyngsborough found its footing, the game became more evenly matched, with neither team able to move the ball past the 25-yard line. Bromfield then stepped it up and came breathtakingly close to a goal. Tyngsborough’s goalie kicked the ball back, and Bromfield accidentally hit it out of bounds, giving it back to the Tigers. However, Bromfield was able to steal the ball back and rush into the circle, where junior Alexandra O’Neil scored.
At the half, Coach Susan Silver asked her players to score within the first five minutes. Instead, Tyngsborough came out more aggressively and gained a corner on Bromfield’s end. Tyngsborough quickly crossed the ball, drove it into the net, and celebrated until the referee invalidated the goal for being shot from outside the circle.
Refusing to risk a loss, Bromfield quickly brought the ball back near Tyngsborough’s goal, getting multiple corners but still failing to score. However, Bromfield had a few scares when Tyngsborough stole the ball and tried to make its way back down the field. Coach Silver made the call to replace a forward with a sweeper for extra defense.
Even with this more defense-oriented lineup, Bromfield was able to make some attempts at scoring. Tyngsborough fouled, letting sophomore Ella Corbett drive the ball to O’Neil, who saved it from going out of bounds. O’Neil then crossed the ball to freshman Maible Daly who drove it again, where freshman Claire Stoddard tipped it into the goal.
Unfortunately, Bromfield was not able to end the game on this high note. Tyngsborough made one last attempt at winning the game, coming back after Bromfield’s second goal even more aggressively. Tyngsborough gained three corners and managed to score on the final one in the last seconds of the game.
After the game, Coach Silver said, “Except for that [the first 10 minutes of the second half], we had the game in control, so I was able to get nearly everyone in [to play]. It was nice that we were able to score with two forwards.” She concluded, “I don’t know what it is, but from now on, in the first part of the second half we play with two sweepers.”
Bromfield will play Burncoat, home, Tuesday, Oct. 17; Maynard, away, Wednesday, Oct. 18; and Tahanto, away, Friday, Oct. 20.
Kate Selig is a Bromfield junior.
