Milford walks away with a win in OT

Milford senior midfield Hayden Shockley takes a drive into the scoring circle. Photo courtesy of Dan Cook Cape Gazette

Milford and Lake Forest are no strangers to each other as there is a healthy rivalry in all sports. Today, it was field hockey. As expected, this was a great game with plenty of offensive opportunities, great defensive plays, saves by goalkeepers, and an overtime period before Milford found the cage for the win.

Both Lake and Milford moved the ball up and down the field in the first quarter but there was miscommunication, balls centered to the circle that got away, and shots wide of the cage. Needless to say, it took most of the first quarter for both teams to settle into their own style of play. Lake’s Ella Robbins, Rylin McCloksy, Carmella Gannon and Lacey Hutson were standouts of the quarter.

Milford’s goalkeeper Madison Stahl was under fire most of the second quarter as Lake’s offense was relentless. Penalty corners were abundant and Lake dominated the corner game; but to no avail the game remained tied 0-0 at the half.

Coach Andrea McPike made some adjustments with her team during halftime because they came out and pressured Lake Forest immediately. Molly Masten, Bailey Masten, and Hannah Zimmerman would be the trio Milfrod used on the penalty corners to try to gain the lead.At the 8:14 minute mark, Molly MAsten inserted the penalty corner to Hannah Zimmerman at the top of the circle. Zimmerman dribbled and drove into the circle and scored to put the Bucs up 1-0.

Lake’s Lacey Hutson had a drive from midfield to the circle but lost control over the end line.  Credit to the Spartans defense, Ella Robbins, Raegan Starkey and goalkeeper Jessica Lewis for stopping  the Bucs attack. With 1:26 left in the quarter, Lake inserted the ball on a corner from Ashely Robbins to Mia Cristaldi but Mllford had 2 defenders in the goal behind the goalie and created a penalty stroke. Brynn String made the shot to tie the game 1-1.

Onto the 4th quarter where both teams were showing signs of fatigue in the heat. It was a battle on defense for Milford as Lake went on the attack and earned corner after corner trying to convert on Milford late in the game. Madison Stahl & Grace LoBiondo worked tirelessly on defense to keep their team in the game. The regulation time period ended in a tie 1-1.

Overtime in field hockey becomes a 10 minute 7 v 7. Coaches have to strategically plan which 7 out of their 11 players will fight until the end. Milford would own the OT period. At the 9:29 mark Milford could earn their 1st of 5  penalty corners.  Molly Masten inserted Hannah Zimmerman’s shot and was saved by freshman goalkeeper Jessica Lewis. Milford would keep attacking until late in the OT period when Masten would send a ball to Isabel Betts who fired off a shot that found the back of the cage for a MIlford win 2-1.

Congrats to both teams for a hard fought game and good luck with the rest of the season!