Page 90 - WHS FH 2014 Memory Book - Megan Cunningham

In the second half, the Warriors stepped up
and their offensive onslaught yielded
positive results, including the first goal with
17:08 remaining in the contest. Jillian
Mahon had the ball on the right side of the
field, and she crossed it beautifully to
Bridget Ward all alone right in front of the
goal. She was able to set herself and fire off
a shot into the bottom of the cage that goalie
Kaeleigh Morrill (seven saves) was helpless
to defend to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead
they wouldn't relinquish.

"It was so nice (to score) because I've always
wanted to beat Darien and it really felt so good," said Ward, a sophomore who has seven goals this year. "This
gives us the confidence to take on the rest of
the season."

Wilton wasn't ready to rest on its laurels and
tacked on an insurance goal a few minutes
later with 13:14 on the clock.

The Warriors received a penalty corner and
Cunningham passed out to Delaney
Baxendale, who found Kristen Godin at the
near post and her high shot found its way
into the right corner to give Wilton a
commanding two-goal edge. The Blue Wave
nearly answered, however, with a scramble
in front and a shot by a diving Georgia
Cassidy hit the post and the rebound was
saved by Hendry with 12 minutes and
change left. Darien's bench thought that they
had scored a goal and started celebrating but it was all for naught.
"It was a hard-fought game," Darien head coach Mo Minicus
said. "I'm not very pleased with how my team played, I
thought they played hard but I don't think they played well.
That's no discredit to Wilton because they had their game
plan, they played hard and they were better."

Wilton's defense held Cassidy and Marissa Baker, the top
scorers for the Blue Wave, in check and Hynes praised the
defensive play of Caroline Taverna, Meredith Rappaport,
Baxendale, Godin and Hendry. Hynes said Wilton could see
Darien in the FCIAC playoffs, but her squad can't look too
far ahead because every team they play from here on out will
be looking to knock the Warriors off their perch. The
Warriors gained more than just a win against Darien; they
gained the confidence to know they can play with any
opponent.

"They played their game which is exactly what I wanted
them to do," she said. "They did a fantastic job doing that."