“Give it everything you have,” head coach Cheryl Walsh-Edwards told her team. “When you get on the bus you want to feel like you gave it your all.”
The Blue Waves gave it their all.
Saturday morning Riverhead opened the field hockey season facing off against Shoreham-Wading River in a non-league matchup. It’s a matchup that is on the schedule every year. And every year it’s the same kind of game.
“Last year it was the same situation,” Walsh-Edwards said. “We went to overtime and ended up winning in strokes.”
The only movement on the scoreboard was a ticking game clock throughout the first and second half. Shoreham-Wading River dominated the first half, holding the ball on their side of the field while letting loose some shots on goal. But halftime adjustments swung the momentum over to Riverhead.
The Blue Waves kept the pressure on, the ball moved back and forth and back and forth. Both teams looked visibly tired and with the final minutes coming to a close, it was all or nothing mode. Riverhead put a few shots on goal but nothing threatening enough to finally put a score on the board.
On to overtime the game went.
In overtime, the game becomes a 7-on-7, creating more empty space and a better chance to put one in the back of the net.
“They were all tired,” Walsh-Edwards said. “I told them if you want it to end quick, then score quick.”
“Our adrenaline was pumping,” said forward Katelyn Zaneski.
“I was totally exhausted,” said forward Maria Dillingham.
Finally the first true scoring opportunity came in overtime for the Blue Waves.
Sydney Kito found a cutting Dillingham and with a little space to maneuver, it was off to the races.
“The moment Syd passed me the ball, I was like we gotta go,” Dillingham said. “I carried the ball up and dodged everyone in my way. I knew I was faster than everyone on that team so I just kept running.”
She reached the right side of the goal and dumped the ball over the middle. The ball entered a group of players and somehow found its way into the net.
“I knew Katelyn would be there, she’s always there,” Dillingham said.
“I think a defender picked the ball up first and I kind of just threw my stick in there,” Zaneski said.
And that’s all it took. The game ended immediately as the Blue Waves on the sidelines rushed the field to celebrate with their teammates.
“That’s how overtime usually is decided,” Walsh-Edwards said. “All it takes is one breakaway and a nice move.”
“I’m extremely pleased,” she said. “It’s a great way to start the season.”
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Michael Hejmej
Click thumbnails to enlarge images
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