Behind Katelyn Zaneski’s two goals, the Riverhead field hockey team shut out Copaigue 3-0 in a Division II matchup Monday afternoon at home.
The win improved the Blue Waves to 2-3 in the division.
“For the most part we dominated the game,” head coach Cheryl Walsh-Edwards said. “Our goalie didn’t even need to make a save. But we could have scored more.”
That has been the theme of the season thus far; consistent defense with a lack of umph or agressiveness on offense. After starting the season with a 1-0 overtime victory over Shoreham-Wading River, the Blue Waves continued to struggle offensively, scoring only four goals over the next five games. They lost 2-1 to three different opponents consecutively — Smithtown West, Southampton, and Huntington — before losing to Newfield 1-0 last Thursday. They only suffered one lopsided loss to East Islip by the score of 6-1.
“It’s been a lack of aggression and a lack of pushing forward,” Walsh-Edwards said.
The Blue Waves earned 21 corners against Copaigue without giving up an attempt and still only produced three goals.
“We dominated but I felt like we just couldn’t close when we got to their circle,” Walsh-Edwards said. “We need to keep our sticks down and keep pushing and pushing.”
“We were getting great feeds from the midfielders.”
Maria Dillingham registered the other goal for the Blue Waves also contributing an assist. Danni Napoli dished the assist for one of Zaneski’s goals.
“All three of them had a good game,” Walsh-Edwards said.
Dillingham shifted from attack to midfield and playing alongside Napoli, Sydney Kito, and Amanda Baron is really paying dividends to the team’s goal opportunities. Dillingham is proving that she’s a very capable passer and works perfect pursuing from the outside with her speed. Walsh-Edwards admitted that she thought about sliding Napoli to forward because of the miles-per-hour she puts on her shot but doesn’t see it happening because she’s too defensive-minded and already dominates the middle of the field.
Walsh-Edwards was especially impressed by the play of Baron.
“Amanda had a standout game,” she said. “Probably the best game she’s played so far. Simply because she played aggressively. She stayed low, pushed forward and moved in front of the defense to try to deflect balls.”
“I think that’s going to be my mid-line for the rest of the season.”
The Blue Waves face North Babylon on Wednesday.
Contact Michael Hejmej: Michael@Riverheadlocal.com
Photo captions, from top: 1. Katelyn Zaneski (pictured in Sept. 19 action) scored two of the Waves’ three goals against Copiague; 2. Waves battle for the ball against Copiague.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
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