November 7, 2024 – Story and photos by Joshua Ross
For the second year in a row, the Hingham field hockey team is in the quarterfinals games in the MIAA D2 State Tournament. Last year’s team made it further than any other in team history when they played in the Final Four. The experience that young team got during the 2023 run is paying dividends now.
“Malden Catholic just won, I think, their first tournament game last round,” says coach Susan Petrie. ” I said that was us a few years ago. Now we know what it feels like. We’re seasoned veterans. We have the confidence. The nerves aren’t there as much as they were in the past. Even in the last game where Mansfield scored on us first, it doesn’t matter. The girls don’t get rattled. They stay calm. We try different combinations and if one girl is off, we go in different directions.”
Unlike their first game of the tournament, the Harborwomen scored first on a penalty corner shot by junior captain Ryan Hallisley six minutes into the game. Junior Sam Ruddick made it 2-0 before MC cut the lead back to one. It stayed that way until junior Sammy Price added the insurance goal in the second half and Hingham’s defense took over, per usual, and shutdown their opponents for the rest of the game.
It would be hard to pinpoint one theme that stands out for this team this season, but something that has definitely carried over from the regular season to the post season is the goal distribution, as seen last night. Three goals scored by three different players.
“It’s so important because everyone on the team is trusted and everyone works so hard,” explains senior captain Siena Brackett when asked about the goal scoring. “It’s not just a few people on the team that make all the plays, it is really every single person on the field. When are shots go in, every single person is consistent and it really is seen in our scoring.”
Petrie credits her four seniors setting the example and creating a winning culture of the program.
“I really have to give my four seniors credit,” Petrie boasts after the game. “Their leadership has been so outstanding. Again, they help in different positions – I have a goalie, I have a forward, and I have midfielder, so they can really help the other girls, especially the younger girls in that position, and is really going to help us going forward.”
After Hingham’s game, Notre Dame secured their spot in the quarterfinals setting up a cross-town match up on Saturday at 1pm at NDA.
“We would like the short bus ride,” joked Petrie. ” We will enjoy tonight and get to work tomorrow.”
GAME PHOTOS
