YARMOUTH — The York High field hockey team hasn’t been pushed many times this season.
Thursday night, Yarmouth gave the top-ranked Wildcats just what they needed. York remained unbeaten but needed a late goal by Devon Datsis to get by the second-ranked Clippers 1-0 in a Class B South contest. Datsis scored with 6:19 remaining on York’s 19th penalty corner.
“We needed this game to keep us grounded,” said Lily Posternak, York’s outstanding junior midfielder who recently verbally committed to play at Duke University. “We need to expect that come playoff time.”
The victory extended York’s winning streak to 29 games, improving the defending Class B state champion Wildcats to 11-0 this year. Yarmouth dropped to 9-1-1.
York outscored opponents 49-6 entering the game and had a big territorial edge against the Clippers. But Yarmouth goalie Tori Messina made 13 often outstanding saves and was aided by a defense that blocked numerous shots.
Nicole McDowell and Sam Middleton stood out for Yarmouth.
“Yarmouth did a great job pressuring the ball and double-teams were really strong for them,” said Datsis. “They did a really good job changing up their defense on corners.”
Yarmouth didn’t get a shot on goal and had to rely on that defense to keep it close. York was relentless with its offensive pressure that finally paid off late when it was awarded four corners in succession. Messina had made a brilliant stop on a reverse hit by Datsis on the second of those corners but couldn’t stop Datsis’ next shot.
Isabel Bretz inserted the ball from the left of the goal to Posternak just outside the circle. She gave a backhanded pass to Datsis on the left and her shot found its way through a maze of players, just inside the left post.
“I try to get my feet around so I can get a sweep or a quick shot off,” said Datsis. “And luckily I just had enough on it that it slipped past the goalie that time.”
Datsis has made a habit of scoring big goals for the Wildcats the last couple of years.
“She’s got excellent stick skills and she’s tenacious in the circle,” said Coach Barb Marois. “She’s determined to get something out of every play.”
York’s defense never allowed Yarmouth to get close enough for a tying shot.
The Clippers had only one penalty corner in the game, in the first half. Breanna Morrill’s shot was just wide of the right post.
“We knew this was going to be a tough game coming out,” said Yarmouth Coach Mandy Lewis. “We just couldn’t convert our offense today.”
But Yarmouth gained a lot of confidence with this performance.
“To see these girls work so hard the past couple of years to where we’re competing at this level, I’m just so proud of them,” said Lewis.
Marois was glad that her players got pushed.
“Games like this, you get to see what you’re made of,” she said. “We’ve got some things to work on. … There’s always something that you need to improve on, right?
“As a coach you’re always in that mindset. Some of it’s physical, some of it’s mental.”
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