DOVER — Rain poured down all the sport, however the slickest a part of the Dover-Sherborn area hockey crew’s nonleague matchup with Masconomet on Saturday was its quick begin in a signature 4-1 win.
Consistent offensive strain allotted the Raiders (11-2-2) seven corners within the first half, who then used two of them to assist rating three objectives in a principally dominant effort earlier than the break. None got here faster than freshman Annie Liebhoff’s aim simply 2:27 into the match.
Masconomet’s velocity and goaltender Sam Serio (10 saves) performed a significant factor in conserving the sport inside attain, however 4 completely different gamers discovered the again of the aim for Dover-Sherborn.
“I’m really thrilled with the way we came out strong, right from the opening whistle,” mentioned Raiders head coach Molly McGill. “I love playing in the rain … I just feel like it’s the great equalizer. Everyone’s dealing with the same elements, and it adds a kind of fun, dramatic element to it.”
An early nook led to a Serio save, however Liebhoff gathered a transparent try on the opposite facet of the circle earlier than firing in a 1-0 lead on a robust flick. Dover-Sherborn’s ahead line did a wonderful job pushing the ball upfield and the midfield plugged clearing lanes to maintain it there – main to a different aim simply seven minutes later.
Drew Hussar (aim, help) fired a rocket on the far publish, which Avery Bent tipped in for a 2-0 lead lower than 10 minutes into the sport.
“I always tell them, ‘Help yourselves out, score early,’ ” McGill mentioned. “Every game, right before the start, I just say, ‘Let’s just start early. Score a goal early, set the tone, kind of put them on their heels.’ It doesn’t always happen, but today it did.”
As Serio withstood just a few extra high quality photographs, Masconomet shook a few of its flat power with a burst of velocity up the center that Nora Duval used to get a breakaway. D-S goalie Kylie Craig (4 saves) stopped her shot and two rebound makes an attempt proper after, however Cait Driscoll lastly completed off the menace for the 2-1 deficit.
The Chieftains regarded extra snug from there, however the Raiders didn’t cease coming.
Fluid passing downfield 10 minutes into the second quarter drew one other nook for Dover-Sherborn, which led to a Finley Whitlock tip-in for the 3-1 lead earlier than the break.
“Corners have been a strength for us this year,” McGill mentioned.
In the second half, the one aim was a Hussar stroke with 10:33 left.
There’s a lot to be mentioned in regards to the offensive tenacity the Raiders confirmed. But holding off Masconomet and its blazing velocity stood out extra.
“Going in, we were focused on defense – marking up all over the field, pressuring the field, all that good stuff,” McGill mentioned. “I think they did find that success in sending the big ball upfield and catching us a little bit on our heels. But thankfully it happened only the one time. That was our game plan, playing good defense (and) pressuring them in their defensive zone.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com