Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

September 25, 2012

Field Hockey: NYA muzzles Traip, talk of parity in Western C

The Panthers, who struggled against the Rangers in an early season game, win 3-0, erase all doubt.

By STEVE CRAIG/Staff Writer

YARMOUTH — Based on an early-season encounter, it looked like the Traip Academy field hockey team had closed the gap between North Yarmouth Academy and the rest of the league.

Based on Monday's 3-0 NYA win in the rematch at Lewis Field, there is still ground to make up. The Panthers held an 11-1 shot advantage and led 9-0 in penalty corners while controlling the first half and dominating the second.

NYA beat Traip, 1-0, in Kittery but needed a penalty stroke to get the win.

NYA (9-1) entered the game ranked second in the Western Class C Heal Point standings behind unbeaten Lisbon, which plays an Eastern schedule. Traip (5-4) was third. Its losses have come to NYA and Class B teams Yarmouth and Cape Elizabeth.

"Our defense, we were ready for them this time," NYA Coach Tracy Quimby said.

"Our team is just coming together at the right time -- learning how to pass to each other, learning how to back each other up. Everything is coming together at the right time. They're learning to trust each other more."

NYA used the artificial surface to emphasize its overall advantage in team speed, attacking up both sides and flashing some quick transition passing through the center. Traip stuck to its right-hand dominated approach, trying to work it up the sideline with Kaylie Andrews and Ashleigh Roberts acting as almost exclusive threats.

Panther defenders, in particular captain Lillie Reeder and Emma Warren, were increasingly effective in halting Traip's advancement attempts.

"There's a big difference between field hockey on grass and field hockey on turf," Traip Coach Kelly Miller said. "Today NYA was beating us to the ball."

Sophomore forward Marina Poole scored twice, getting NYA on the board 79 seconds into the game and clinching the win with 4:34 to play in the second half. Poole played midfield as a freshman but was moved to forward when Quimby decided in preseason to go with a four-forward formation.

"She gets really hungry when she gets in there," Quimby said.

Both of Poole's goals were assisted by freshman Juliana Tardif.

North Yarmouth's second goal started with Poole and Tardif combining on a quick transition give-and-go in the midfield. Freshman Linnea Hull secured the ball and sent a smooth firm pass into the circle that junior Kayla Rose swept into the cage from 15 yards out.

"We really looked to use our turf to our advantage," Poole said. "We spread the field out nicely and had some good passes."

NYA has four games remaining, including a game at Class B Falmouth next Monday and a potential challenge from improving Waynflete Oct. 4 at home.

Quimby said she hopes captain Carly Lappas, out all season with a knee injury, will be back before the end of the season. Olivia Madore, one of the Panthers' top scorers, missed her fourth game due to mononucleosis.

Senior Maura Anderson and sophomore Meaghan O'Leary helped compensate for Madore's absence against Traip.

"We're changing things up on them and that's what I'm proud of," Quimby said.

"They realize that as people are out they need to be in positions that they may not be all that comfortable with but just go out there and do your best."

Staff Writer Steve Craig can be contacted at 791-6413 or at: scraig@mainetoday.com

 

Tweet