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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
It was a battle of state championship contenders as two of the TVL’s elite field hockey programs met on the turf at Flahive Field on Thursday afternoon, with the Westwood Wolverines (10-3-2, 7-3-2) hosting the conference-leading and still unbeaten Medway Mustangs (10-0-3, 9-0-2).
Julia Hess (8) fights off a defender and cuts to the cage late in the first half. Photos by Michael Flanagan
Medway struck first with 26:40 to play when Mikayla Berger smacked in the rebound of a penalty corner to give the Mustangs an early 1-0 lead. A little over five minutes later, however, with 21:21 to play in the half, Abigail Crowley responded for Westwood by potting home a rebound of a shot in front by Kelly Driscoll to even the game at one at halftime.
Westwood keeper Megan Brown kept the game deadlocked at one, thanks to a sprawling save with her left pad early in the third quarter. With 20 minutes to play in the half, Kate Deehan made a game-saving poke with the ball laying loose on the goal mouth. The freshman smacked the ball off the goal line and upfield for a successful clear.
Kelly Driscoll (6) moves the ball up the field for Westwood midway through the first half of Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Medway. Photos by Michael Flanagan
Less than three minutes later, however, Medway was finally able to break the tie when Mackenzie Quigley took a pass from Berger, dangled her way through the Westwood defense and slid home a shot down low with her stick turned onto her off-hand for a highlight-reel goal. The score gave the Mustangs a 2-1 lead with 17:26 remaining.
Westwood called a timeout with about 11 minutes to play and began to up their offensive pressure. With eight minutes remaining, the Wolverines nearly evened the game at two on a penalty corner, but a big kick save by Medway keeper Madelaine Murphy kept the game at 2-1.
The Wolverines continued to pepper the Medway end of the field, but to no avail, as the Mustangs hung on for the thrilling 2-1 victory.
Westwood will look to get back on track when the Wolverines return to action against Ashland on October 26 for their regular season finale.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0.
