On September 15th, the Avon girls field hockey team began its NCCC season with a win shutting out Stafford, 1-0. The Falcons are led by senior captains Emily Arciero, Elle Crane, Rachel Neuhoff and Sammy Welch. Avon's goal was scored by Junior Maddie Riccardi off of an assist by Elle Crane. While Avon's offense (Arciero, Crane, Juniors Riccardi, Alana Pulling, Hailey Graff and Sophomore Caroline Schaefer) kept the ball at Stafford's end of the field for most of the game, Stafford's goalie, Sam Bassett, was able to repel 17 Avon shots. Avon's defense led by Neuhoff, Welch and Junior Mary Margaret Stoll kept Stafford off of Avon goalie, Nicole Andrews.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Falcons faced Canton winning 2-1 in overtime. Attacking immediately, Canton scored in the first seconds of the game. The remainder of the game, Avon's offense dominated but failed, in a repeat of the game with Stafford, to capitalize on corner penalties. Avon had a game total of 24 corner plays that failed to produce goals.
Avon's first goal came well into the second half when Riccardi scored on an assist from Arciero. In the tense realm of sudden death in overtime, it was Ricarrdi on an assist from Caroline Schaefer that put the game in the win column for Avon.
After the game, Coach Terri Ziemnicki stated, “Yes, definitely an intense game! It took our team into the second half before we settled down and played our game. Canton’s immediate goal in the first seconds of the game took us back. Then we played nervous. We settled down and worked the ball. Canton’s goalie played well; however we need to work on our scoring. The past two games, lots of shots but not a lot of goals to show for it.”
The Falcons face Somers at home on Thursday afternoon.
