Martlets Defeat DA in OT

Westminster headed north to take on Deerfield after the Fall Long Weekend. The combination of fall break and the bus ride led to a slow start for the Martlets as Deerfield controlled the first quarter from start to finish, earning several corners and adding a goal toward the end before the Martlets even recorded a shot. Westminster regrouped and the second quarter saw a bit of progress in competing all over the field and focusing on having a better touch on the ball. Down one at halftime, Westminster knew they had it in them to give more, and showed a burst of energy in the second half. Four minutes in, Olivia Gordon ’24 made a fantastic effort in the offensive 25, and sent a ball to the cage once inside the circle that found the back left corner to tie the game. Deerfield had an answer though and worked to earn the lead back just two minutes later. After Cassie Goundrey ’24 made a fantastic save diving to the far left post, Deerfield collected the rebound and sent it right back in to bring the score to 2-1 in favor of the hosts. With a little over a minute on the clock, Gordon sprung on a mini breakaway opportunity and was taken down to earn a penalty stroke for Westminster. Allysen Whitehead ’25 stepped up to take it and sent a perfect shot to the back of the cage to tie the game at 2-2. The final fifteen minutes saw Westminster earn several scoring opportunities to take the lead, including another penalty stroke and a flurry of attacking penalty corners. However, Deerfield’s poised and confident defense held the Martlets from taking their first lead of the day. Liza Merrill ’25 and Talia Ondy ’25 played a strong second half, redefending quickly to support their teammates in the defensive end. Overtime saw both teams make runs up field looking to end the game, with Deerfield earning a penalty corner after a quick fast break opportunity. Westminster’s OT defensive unit of Goundrey, Gordon, Whitehead, and Hadley Crowther ’25 did a fantastic job defending Deerfield’s play to keep the overtime period going. Westminster earned possession in the defensive end and moved a ball up field to Lily Vincent ’25 who fought to earn space in the circle and get the ball to net. Deerfield’s goalie made a great save in the crowd of players in front, but Olivia Emerson ’24 was there to collect the ball and patiently move to the right side of the cage to slip the ball past the sprawled out Deerfield keeper to win the game 3-2 for Westminster! Cassie Goundrey was fantastic in net all afternoon, especially in the first half when the Martlets found themselves back on their heels. Emerson was awarded the Player of the Game hat for her OT winner. It was a gritty effort by the Martlets from start to finish to battle back from being down a goal twice throughout the game. Credit to Deerfield for their strong play all over the field - it was a fantastic back and forth field hockey game. The Martlets look to take this momentum into the weekend as they hit the road again to Kingswood Oxford.