The SPS Varsity Field Hockey team traveled to Dedham, MA to take on Nobles in their 7pm night game. One of Nobles' two featured night games for the Autumn and attended by their entire student body, the energy under the lights was spirited and competitive. The home team came out strong, scoring a breakaway goal in the first 30 seconds against a flat footed and still adjusting visiting squad. However, the Pelicans soon got their bearings and gained control of the ball and game.
With a newly adjusted formation favoring a deep defensive line and speedy forwards, SPS found success shutting down the fast Nobles girls and moving the ball up and out of the backfield into scoring position.
Erin Flaherty '27 scored a goal, her first ever for SPS, to tie the game 1-1 in the first quarter. The entire team showed excellent anticipation by stepping to ball and intercepting, with Addie Pinard '25,
Thayer Demers '26, and
Erin Flaherty '27 leading the charge.
Maude Niemann '25, Flaherty,
Chelsea Bell '25, and co-captain Bella Perry '25 tackled back, channeling their players directly into the double teaming sticks of their teammates who converted the block tackles into possession passes. On the front line,
Caroline Humber '25,
Gracen Arndt '27, and Maddy Humber '28 worked tirelessly to put heavy pressure on Nobles' defense and took several shots in the circle.
Co-captain Parker Hanson '25 quarterbacked the game from the backfield, initiating beautiful give and go passing out and up the sidelines. Hanson, Demers, Bell, and Arndt all played a picture perfect marking game.
Liza Demain '28 and Addie Hayne '26 contributed speed, hustle, and opportunities to add points to the board. Several offensive corners saw shots on net from Niemann and others. The defensive corner unit held strong against Nobles' skilled 7 offenders, never giving up a goal, with Flaherty and Demers in particular scooping up interceptions, and the team hustled back to support. Hanson & Bell & C. Humber, Perry & Pinard & Arndt, and Demers & Flaherty & M. Humber, all worked particularly well in small units that gave way to big balls upfield.
Anna Asano '25 started the game in net, and
Elizabeth Johnson '25 stepped in as goalkeeper for the second half. Both defended against several shots and a strong offensive drive from the home team. Johnson tallied several repeated saves in the last and most high stakes quarter of the game. Nobles scored the final point of the night with 3 minutes left of the clock, disqualifying SPS from competing for the win in overtime.
The team played their hearts out! The Big Red looks forward to hosting Nobels next year for another competitive matchup!
