Despite Dominance, Avon High Field Hockey Ties Hall

When does a draw feel like a victory?

For the Hall High field hockey team, the 0-0 tie earned against Avon certainly felt like a win for the Warriors, the score notwithstanding.

Indeed the Falcons had Hall High pinned back in their zone for most of the match, earning 16 penalty corners to Hall's 1.

The Falcons also had 22 shots on goal to the Warriors' 1, yet the game ended in a scoreless draw.

Credit first goes to the Warriors' incredible goalkeeper, Kathleen Keegan, who, to borrow an ice hockey term, all but stood on her head to keep Avon from scoring.

During one late flurry during the 7-on-7 overtime, Keegan kicked a shot out with her leg, then flopped in front of the cage, preventing the crucial golden goal.

"Field hockey is pretty much what she lives for," Hall High head coach Carlie Dailey said of Keegan. "She's very competitive."

Just moments after Keegan's heroics in front of the cage, Avon's Emily Stross hit the post with a shot with less than a minute to go.

It was a case, according to Avon High head coach Terri Ziemnicki, of having everything but the goal.

"We played very well, we just couldn't finish," she said.

Indeed, Avon's Stross, Caroline Shafer, Anne Grant and Karina Bucci played with menace and intent, but the goal never materialized.

Credit Hall's Steel Curtain of a defense as well. Christin Spring, Bea Lynch and Helen Chaney prevented the Falcons from getting clean shots all game.

Lynch was a one-player penalty corner disruption, rushing Avon's players at the top of the circle, while Spring was effective in keeping the Falcons off balance further up the field.

The shutout was anything but a fluke for the Warriors, who have had just one goal scored against them in nine matches.

With the tie, Hall remained atop the state Class L rankings with an 8-0-1 record. The Warriors have several tough challenges ahead, with Simsbury on the road Friday at 3:30 p.m., followed by Farmington at home on Oct. 17.

The Falcons are now 5-1-2 and sit fifth in the state Class M table. Avon faces Granby Memorial on Tuesday on the road at 5:30 p.m.