THE SPORTS DESK
Prep Field Hockey: Wildcats finish once to advance in district tournament
BY JUSTIN RICE
THE FREE LANCE–STAR
Mountain View’s field hockey team controlled play from its own defensive end all the way to Brooke Point’s circle.
It was only there, closest to the Black–Hawks’ goal, that the Wildcats struggled.Fortunately, it didn’t matter much.
The Wildcats didn’t allow a corner or a shot on their own goal and—thanks to an early score by Gretchen Geisler—topped Brooke Point, 1–0, Thursday in the Commonwealth District semifinals.
Mountain View will host Stafford at 4 p.m. today in the district final. Both the Indians and Wildcats are already assured Northwest Region bids. Brooke Point will play at Colonial Forge at 3:30 p.m. today, with the winner moving on to next week’s region quarterfinals.
“I think we’re making big strides,” said Brooke Point coach Libby Baker, whose team was in the same consolation game situation against Colonial Forge last season. “But it’s do or die for us.”
After a back-and-forth opening Thursday, Mountain View started to exert control in the first 10 minutes against the Black–Hawks.
A Mountain View possession ended with Geisler carrying along the right end line toward the Brooke Point cage. Her initial shot was stopped by Black–Hawks goalie Stephanie Davis.
Geisler got the rebound, though, and looked to pass.
“It wasn’t on purpose,” she said. “I was trying to pass it. Usually my teammate is down there on post.”
Geisler’s reverse-stick pass attempt from nearly point-blank range, though, beat Davis and found the back of the cage to give Mountain View its only goal with 20 minutes, 46 seconds remaining in the first half.
The 1–0 goal would prove to be enough, but only because Mountain View controlled play at the midfield.
“Their defense was strong, Geisler said, “but I thought our passing game was really on.”
The Wildcats had 12 corners—10 in the first half—in the game and didn’t allow one for Brooke Point. They put 19 shots on Davis while their own goalie didn’t have to make a single save.
“I thought we did a great job as far as possession,” Mountain View coach Pattie Sullivan said. “We just weren’t finishing in the circle. Their goalie did a great job, but we had so many missed opportunities.”
Davis was strong in goal for the ’Hawks, and senior defender Kristen Johnson was a good anchor for Brooke Point.
“I think they have a strong defense and we have a young offense,” Mountain View’s Olivia Hubert said. “We just kept hitting it in there.”
Sullivan said she knows her team will have to finish better in the region and state tournaments, and especially today against rival Stafford.
“We just want to follow those rebounds, getting tips, going to goal,” she said. “But a lot of times we’re our own worst enemy. We just need a little more intensity there in the circle.”
Justin Rice: 540/368-5045
jrice@freelancestar.com
