Page 89 - WHS FH 2014 Memory Book - Megan Cunningham

Saturday, October 5, 2014

Wilton Field Hockey Bests Rival Darien

By STEVE GEOGHEGAN

WILTON -- As the final seconds ticked
off the clock, it wasn't hard for the
Wilton High field hockey team to
contain its enthusiasm. The Warriors
raced onto the field in celebration of
their thorough 2-0 victory over FCIAC
nemesis Darien and the significance of
the win over the Blue Wave, who beat
Wilton twice last year including in the
FCIAC championship, wasn't lost on the
players.

"It means so much," senior captain and
forward Megan Cunningham said. "It's
great because we have a young team this
year and it's just amazing that we got to beat our rivals. It's a great game every single year and we love playing
against them. It's one of our favorite games, we look forward to it and it's just a good friendly competition. It
feels good to win."

Wilton (9-1 overall, 9-0 FCIAC) hadn't beaten Darien (6-2, 6-1) since a regular-season 1-0 home win over the
Blue Wave in 2012. Unlike last year's meetings, in which they lost 1-0 during the season and 2-0 in the FCIAC
title tilt, the Warriors converted on their scoring opportunities.

"This was another big test," said Wilton head coach Deirdre Hynes, whose squad nearly upset New York state
power Lakeland/Panas last weekend before falling 2-1. "I think they came together. We learned in Lakeland
that you have to play a full 60 minutes to be a quality team and we knew coming into today that we would have
to play a full, solid 60 minutes and we did.

"The first 30 minutes we connected quite well but we weren't finishing," she added. "In the second half they
started to work together a little bit more as a team and finally finished."

As Hynes said, the Warriors' passing was top-notch in the first half, as well as in the second, and Wilton put
pressure on the Darien defense. They fired off six penalty corners (15 total) yet couldn't generate solid scoring
opportunities. The Blue Wave had their chances in the first as well and fired off six shots with goalie Amanda
Hendry making four saves.

"I was feeling kind of nervous, but I knew I had my team backing me up," said Hendry, a junior who finished
with seven saves and has allowed for a smooth transition after the departure via graduation of standout three-
year starter Lizette Roman-Johnston. "I'm really happy I could help the team out to win the game, it's exciting.
This win means everything to us because they (Darien) have been our rivals forever so it's amazing to come out
here and win."