TURNERS FALLS – What was shaping up to be a historic day for the Franklin Tech field hockey program ended with a season-ending decision that came from off the field.
Kaitlin Trudeau’s game-winning goal in overtime lifted No. 16 Franklin Tech to a 1-0 victory over No. 17 Nantucket in the MIAA Division 4 Round of 32 on Sunday afternoon.
The Eagles were slated to play top-seeded and defending state champion Uxbridge in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.
But less than three hours removed from the victory over Nantucket, the Eagles learned that they were officially out of the state tournament. The MIAA ruled that Franklin Tech had used an ineligible player in the win, violating Rule 45.1 which states: a student-athlete must be a Team Member for 50% of the regular season schedule for that sport to participate in any MIAA Tournament competition (team member: any student-athlete who attends practices or games for their sport team).
The MIAA reached out to Franklin Tech athletic director Joe Gamache shortly after Sunday’s game. Gamache said that the field hockey team added a new player late in the regular season who participated in the Nantucket game.
“I went through everything thoroughly, I thought, but I missed that rule,” Gamache said Sunday night. “It was definitely an oversight on my end. We certainly weren’t looking to gain any advantage by having this player join the team.”
Gamache said the MIAA provided an opportunity to refute the accusation, but after reading the rule in question, he acknowledged the oversight and Nantucket was officially awarded a 3-0 victory via forfeit. The Whalers will instead play Uxbridge in the next round.
“I’m disappointed in myself and obviously apologetic to the team because it takes away a solid ending of the season,” Gamache admitted.
Franklin Tech coach Rian Lovett said she reached out to her captains Sunday evening to inform them of the MIAA’s ruling.
“I just apologized,” she said. “We did what we thought was the correct thing and we were following the rule. We obviously overlooked something. But we didn’t jeopardize the integrity of the game. We played hard and well.
“It’s hard to process, hard to explain to the girls but we need to hold our heads high,” she continued. “We had a great year. What they accomplished this year shouldn’t be taken away because of an unfortunate circumstance.”
The game itself that preceded the MIAA’s involvement was certainly exciting on the field. Trudeau’s goal at the time sent the Eagles into the Round of 16 for the first time in program history.