Sophomore forward Katelyn Zaneski’s unassisted goal lifted the Blue Waves field hockey team to a crucial 1-0 victory over Newfield yesterday on Riverhead’s home field.
It was the first league win for Riverhead (2-4) which has faced higher-seeded opponents so far this season.
“It was a tough opening to the season,” head coach Cheryl Walsh said yesterday. “And Newfield is a tough team.”
Yesterday’s game was “a must-win for us and we knew that,” Walsh said. “We have to try to sweeep one form a team thats seeded ahead of us,” she said.
The girls displayed some of the “fire” their coach said they need to win.
Center midfielder Dani Napoli, whom Walsh described as “on fire,” did “a phenomenal job” against Newfield.
Senior Paige Hubbard made four saves. A lacrosse goalie, Hubbard is making adjustments necessary to handle the goal for the field hockey team, Walsh said. “It’s very different,” she said.
“They’ve been in every game. We keep telling them they’re not going to win games until that fire and aggressiveness comes out,” Walsh said, as it did yesterday. “They all have big hearts. What’s been missing is that agression, that competitive spirit. They have it but I feel like it’s dormant. When they let it come out, they’re a team to be reckoned with.”
The Waves host Copiague on Monday (4 p.m.) and then hit the road for games in North Babylon Wednesday and West Babylon Friday.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
Click thumbnails to enlarge images
{gallery}2013/slideshows/2013_0919_field_hockey{/gallery}
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
