Photo by Ken Chaisson
Caroline Handwerk passes it in
By Ken Chaisson
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
On a picture perfect New England fall day with temperatures in the mid-70s and glorious sunshine, the two-time defending Division 1 state champion Walpole Porkers field hockey team defeated the Wellesley Raiders in their season opener on Tuesday September 2, 205 at Walpole High School, 6-1.
The Wellesley Raiders finished 14-4-4 last season losing to Andover, 2-1 in the D1 semi-finals playoffs. They are a solid squad in the Bay State Conference.
Pre-season 2025 regional rankings have Walpole ranked 4th in New England behind Uxbridge, Watertown and prep school Philips Andover Academy.
Walpole returns captain Katie Schneider (Babson), captain Nadia Mihienzi (Union), Kendal Cusack (VCU), Emily and Grace Hagan (Temple-lacrosse) and captain Kendal Cusack amongst others.
If anyone thought that it would be a cakewalk to another state championship final, those notions were quickly dispelled 2:30 into the game as Wellesley jumped out to a 1-0 lead. Quinn called a time out. There was no berating, no finger pointing, no panic or blame assessed. There was only re-focusing on what the Porkers do best: win. The wake up call was received. Walpole kept the ball in the Wellesley‘s end of the field the remainder of the quarter.
Junior Caroline Handwrk tied up the game at 1 with :59 seconds to go in the first quarter.
At the 8:39 mark of the 2nd quarter, Schneider made it 2-1 on a pass from the wing. Riley Halloran made it 3-1 with 1:26 to go.
At the beginning of the second half, Wellesley kept the ball in the Walpole zone for 4:30 to no avail. Handwrk made it 4-1 with 4:26 to go in 3rd quarter. Emily Dunn was stoned by Wellesley keeper on a breakaway a minute later.
Handwrk completed her hat trick to increase the score to 5-1 on a pass from Emily Hagan.
Freshwoman Eva Karacalidis scored her first varsity goal to finish the scoring. Walpole racked up 22 shots on goal along with nine penalty corners while holding the Raiders to five shots on net and four corners. Senior Nora Cummings and junior Maeve O’Connor shared netminding duties. Magician Schneider dominated the middle of the offensive field with nifty stick handling, timely passing and her own game-winning goal.
The prior day Walpole held their annual pre-season Labor Day Porkerfest which included a varsity scrimmage against Watertown. There couldn’t be any better competition in Massachusetts to get ready for the season. Walpole and Watertown are neck-and-neck each year for bragging rights for the state of Massachusetts, However, since they play in different divisions, they only face each other in Porkerfest.
The Porkers have their typical tough opposition this season with #8 Winchester, #13 Bishop Feehan, #15 Canton, #3 Sandwich and 2024 Division 4 state champs Uxbridge who also gave Walpole its last loss, on the schedule. As queens of the highest hill in Massachusetts, everyone aims for them.
It’s not how you start the season. It’s how you grow as a team and finish the season. The Porkers are off to a good start.
