Page 177 - WHS FH 2014 Memory Book - Megan Cunningham

“It took us a while to get a little more connected. We came out really strong, but they definitely proved a point,”
said Cunningham. “We just had to stick together and ride it out, which we did.” The first half ended in a
scoreless tie despite Wilton holding the edge in every category. The Warriors outshot the Cardinals 7- 1 and had
six penalty corners, while Greenwich was not awarded any in the first 30 minutes. The Cardinals defense, led
by Sarah Cicchetti and Hotaling, kept Wilton at bay. They packed the goal area to make it nearly impossible for
the Warriors to send a pass across the goal mouth or stick handle through. Hotaling was credited with five
saves, including stonewalling Cunningham on a penalty shot.

Greenwich coach Ally Orrico had nothing but praise for her players, who gave it all they had and pushed the
conference top seed to the brink of elimination. “ I’m very proud, they worked very hard and it was a great
game,” said Orrico. “ I just said keep doing what they had been doing and we brought what we had been
practicing into the game. It was just a great game on both sides of the ball.” The Cardinals finally broke
through to take a 1- 0 lead with 23: 52 left in the second half as Paige Mautner converted a set up by Erika
Hvolbeck.

The goal ignited the Greenwich team and the Cardinals were able to play even with Wilton, making it look as
though the Warriors were going to settle for a heartbreaking defeat. Finally, on their sixth penalty corner of the
second half, Wilton tied the score, even if it was not the prettiest tally.

The play went to the front of the cage and it looked like Greenwich had dodged another scoring chance. The
ball however ended up on Susie Clasby’s stick and she sent a low shot in to tie the score at 1- 1 with 7: 12 left
on the clock. Wilton almost scored with seven seconds left but the game moved into the sudden death, 10minute
overtime period, where Greenwich held the early momentum, but Wilton stole it back by making a second extra
period necessary. Wilton improved to 12- 1- 1 on the year. Hynes said it was amazing how her team has come
together after losing eight players to graduation. She said they really have supported each other and have never
let adversity overwhelm them but she admitted Saturday was one of those games’ coaches dread.

“We couldn’t finish, and their goalie did a tremendous job,” said Hynes. “We’ve played in overtime games
before and just Wednesday we learned the hard way against Greenwich that we can lose but thank God we
pulled through.” Cunningham agreed with her coach and feels this is just a start to something that can be
special.

“ I think my team is just very good at keeping our confidence in each other and pumping each other up. I think
that is what got us through by keeping it together,” said Cunningham. “ It was so overwhelming to do it for my
team because that is all I wanted to do. I think it is our year. I feel our team is very close and very connected
and we could go pretty far.” Greenwich is now 6- 53.