Page 233 - WHS FH 2014

(Rappaport) and Jess (Hendry) will always have my back and vice versa. That makes us a lot more effective.”

Top-seeded Wilton (17-3-1-0) advanced to the state finals for the fourth consecutive year, looking for a fourth
straight state crown, where the Warriors will play No. 2 Daniel Hand, which beat No. 6 Avon 2-1 in the other
semifinal, on Saturday at Wethersfield at a time to be announced.

It was the third straight loss for fourth-seeded Lauralton Hall (16-4-1-0) against Wilton, which beat the
Crusaders in overtime in last year’s Class M state final. This time around, however, Lauralton was bent on
reversing its losing trend to the Warriors, who had their hands full at times against the Crusaders.

“It was a hard- fought battle,” Wilton head coach Deirdre Hynes said.
“Both times we played them Lauralton played excellent and from the
first time we played them in September, Lauralton has improved
tremendously. We knew they’d be out get us from last year’s rematch
of the finals to this year.”

Most of the offensive chances in the first half went to the Crusaders,
who had six shots at goal. With 18: 18 on the clock, a shot by a
Lauralton attacker appeared to find its way into the back of the cage
but the goal was waved off due to the fact it came from outside the
circle.

“We definitely had our chances but couldn’t finish,” Lauralton’s
second year head coach and former Norwalk High standout Kate
Cavanagh said. “We had tons of opportunities and that was a part of
the post- game talk that in field hockey it’s the team that capitalizes
and they (Wilton) did a great job with two goals in three minutes.
They’re a really tough team.” When the Crusaders did fire off shots at
goal Warriors goalie Amanda Hendry was there to stop them and the
junior finished with seven saves.

“We definitely had our chances but couldn’t finish,” Lauralton’s
second year head coach and former Norwalk High standout Kate Cavanagh said. “We had tons of opportunities
and that was a part of the post- game talk that in field hockey it’s the team that capitalizes and they (Wilton) did
a great job with two goals in three minutes. They’re a really tough team.” When the Crusaders did fire off shots
at goal Warriors goalie Amanda Hendry was there to stop them and the junior finished with seven saves.

“With her defensive line of Taverna, Meredith and Jess playing strong there, she just naturally filled that role,
too, of stepping up and it gave her that much more
confidence,” Hynes said. “Her defensive line had
one of its best games it’s had all season, and its
busiest and most challenging.”
Thanks to their defense, the Warriors went into
halftime scoreless with the Crusaders. “We just
needed to come together more and have more
energy,” Taverna said of the team’s second half
strategy. “We have the skill but the spark wasn’t
there. We got amped up at the half and then after
the first goal, we played to the best of our ability.
It’s really exciting (to get back to the state
finals).”