Varsity Field Hockey travelled the long haul to Deerfield this Saturday to compete with them on their grass field, a harsh change from playing on our turf. Arriving after two and a half hours with only ten minutes to warm up, Exeter was not quite prepared for a tough game, slow on the grass but quick-paced because of Deerfield's strong and aggressive play.
Deerfield dominated much of the first half, scoring within the first five minutes to secure the pace, one Exeter could not get back easily. Second half was a different story. Exeter dominated; Deerfield got a break away and scored a text book shot. Exeter countered in a circle scrum. The last ten minutes of the game were full of intensity, chances to score for Exeter, momentum to keep the ball in our end.
Exeter significantly shifted its play in the second half - the offense of Ali Arnal, Lauren Greer and Annie Mitchell working more in sync with the links on recovery and explosion, the defenders switching the fields. Exeter opened up the game and used the width and began talking. As Elara Mosquera, who led the defense, said at the end of the game, "It could have gone either way and we progressed, which is essential. You have to be happy with that." Freshman Hannah Najar had a particularly impressive game, showing off her speed, her ability to block out her opponents, and her sly moves. Ali MacNamee played for Captain Jessie West and filled in the role of the right back nicely. Julia Ryan's shifting strategy in the middle of the game created the change in tempo and Kaitlin Wahl's right link runs brought the ball into the offensive circle time and time again. For the second half, the team played together very well for a young crew still finding a unified rhythm.
Submiited by Coach Carbonell
