By Jeff Kiesling
Community Contributor
The DS Varsity Field Hockey team defeated the Holliston High Panthers at home on September 27 to push their record to 4-1-1 on the season. The two squads tied in their only meeting last year. The Raiders were looking for a win following a tie with Hopkinton and a close loss to Needham in their prior two games.
DS controlled the ball early and kept the ball in the visitor’s zone, attempting several shots that the Panthers turned away. That changed at the 5:29 mark of the first quarter when Elyse Bissada (15) deflected a terrific pass Avery Bent (10) had maneuvered through traffic into the right corner of Holliston’s goal to give DS a 1-0 lead that they would carry into the first break.
The Panthers were able to generate some offense in the second quarter and made runs into Raiders’ territory that were turned back and converted to offensive opportunities by DS defenders. Dover Sherborn’s ability to pass the ball through all zones was on display as they moved it methodically down the field setting up an Avery Hadfield (12) shot from the top of the circle that deflected into the net with 6:13 to go in the second period. DS led at the half 2-0.
The final score of the match came nine minutes into the third quarter when DS was awarded a penalty corner that Bent inbounded to Alia El-Hilali (9). El-Hilali passed the ball off to team captain Drew Hassar (3) who moved to her right and then rocketed a shot into the net to make the score 3-0. The Raiders defensive backfield held down the stretch and goalies Kiley Craig (33) and Neve McMakin (32) split duty in front of the net and turned away all shots to earn the shutout (3-0).
For those who are unable to attend Raider home games, they are broadcast live on Dover Cable TV (http://tv.dsctv.com/CablecastPublicSite/?channel=3) and also available in their archives. It’s worth noting that DSHS Sophomore Sebastian Hassar and Brad Crandall provide entertaining and informative play by play and commentary on the games and are well worth checking out, as is Cam Crandall on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dscabletv/ ).
