By Avonlea Cummings
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
The Medfield turf was bathed in bright stadium lights on Monday, October 23, casting a spotlight on the Warriors' field hockey team. These luminous beams symbolized a tribute to each senior player in celebration of senior night, a momentous occasion. The Warriors faced off against the Ashland Clockers, securing a resounding 2-0 victory.
The hour-long battle witnessed both teams displaying unwavering determination, each hungry for more energy and additional goal-scoring opportunities. The first quarter passed quietly, with both sides toiling tirelessly in their efforts to gain control of the ball. However, the second quarter saw Medfield's Brooke Malmquist seizing an opportunity. She received a splendid pass from Mikayla Malmquist and expertly found the back of the net, leaving the Ashland defense helpless and notching a point for Medfield.
Carrying their momentum into the third quarter, Medfield continued to demonstrate their skills and effectively capitalized on a penalty corner. Maeve Kelly delivered a powerful shot that resounded as it struck the backboards, extending Medfield's lead to 2-0. Throughout the remainder of the game, Medfield staunchly repelled Ashland's efforts. As the final seconds ticked away, the players rushed toward their goalkeeper, jubilantly celebrating the success of senior night.
Head coach Lynne Malmquist expressed her delight in the team's accomplishments, particularly in adopting a new formation and fortifying their offensive strategies.
“We changed our formation right after our last game against Dover-Sherborn, it’s been working, playing heavier on offense. We have been working on our positioning in the circle for scoring, have girls on the posts, on stroke, and at the top sending balls in, it has really been working. We had a beautiful cross from Mikayla Malmquist to Brooke Malmquist who just had a nice touch on her stick to send it right in. Maeve did a great job on another penalty corner by getting the ball right in there,” said Malmquist.
As the girls were getting ready to celebrate the seniors with flowers and photos, the girls cheered each other. Coach Malmquist shared the offensive and defensive player of the evening before expressing how the seniors have benefitted from the team this season.
“A lot of our seniors don’t see much time on the field, but they bring great energy on the sidelines, they are happy to be here and cheer the girls on, they just make the whole team feel very welcoming and fun. I am really proud of how the girls were passing out on the field and consistently bringing the ball to our goal. Tonight I gave offensive player of the game to Brooke for her beautiful well-positioned goal, and I gave the defensive player of the night to junior Maeve Kelly because she was stepping to every ball, containing girls down the line, she just came out of nowhere, she steps up to the ball, and is able to immediately get rid of it,” said Malmquist.
Medfield graduates Katelyn Nicotera, Caroline Brand, Megan Hatch, Jennifer Hawley, Ciara Naughton, Lilian Bligh, Mikayla Malmquist, Chloe Marshall.
