LUNENBURG – The chances presented themselves for the Greenfield field hockey team on Friday. Attempting to claw their way back from a one-goal deficit, the Green Wave kept missing by just inches.
That was all it took for No. 17 Greenfield to fall, 1-0, to No. 16 Lunenburg in the Division 4 statewide tournament Round of 32.
After a first half of an essentially non-existent offense, the Green Wave poured on the offensive pressure in the third quarter on the turf at Mulligan-McCarron Field.
“I switched a couple people around to get some more offense going,” Greenfield coach Erin Thayer said. “I just think we were trying to do things as an individual. Not really working together. The communication was not great today.”
On one opportunity, Henley Gilstrap settled a penalty corner and fired a shot. After a deflection in front of the goal, the ball rolled harmlessly to the left of the net. On another chance, Kyra Tamsin swung at an airborne centering pass from Gilstrap, only to see it sail past the side of the net. The third and final scoring opportunity was similar to the first with Gilstrap just missing again by inches.
The adjustments from Thayer along with a better mindset from the team provided the much-needed offensive pressure.
“I think we got in our heads a little more,” Gilstrap said. “Trying to figure out where we need to be spaced as a team on the field. I think we went into this game not really ready for it. When we came out for the second half, we were more ready.”
Gilstrap will continue playing field hockey at the next level. The field hockey specialist will play for Keene State College in New Hampshire. It’s been a long road in her six years playing for the program. After some challenging years in the beginning, everything changed in her sophomore year.
“Sophomore year I took a whole 360 in my life,” Gilstrap said. “I realized I need to stop doing the stupid things I do. I came back on the field and locked in. I went to so many camps. I tried as hard as I could. Last year I scored 17 goals. It’s been good ever since. I am so glad I chose this sport.”
Greenfield played without its leading scorer, Madison Lemay. The conditions at Lunenburg High School were not favorable for either team with constant gusting winds throughout the game. Lemay missed the game due to shoulder surgery.
“The wind did not help,” Thayer said. “You can’t hear anything in the wind.”
The chances dissipated in the fourth quarter, preserving the victory for the Blue Knights. Lunenburg advances to play the winner of No. 1 Monomoy Regional and No. 32 Saint Paul Diocesan. The top seed, Monomoy, is located in Harwich on Cape Cod.
A huge factor in the game staying at a one-goal deficit was goaltender Kayden Viencek. The freshman keeper made eight saves. But these were not simple saves. There were two instances where Viencek went sprawling horizontally to keep Lunenburg out of the goal.
Gilstrap and fellow senior Kristina Kostov played their final game for the Greenfield field hockey program.
“They’ll be missed for sure,” Thayer said. “Henley has been a big part of this team for a while. Kristina came back this year after missing last year and has been a big part of our defense. Seniors are always missed. They’re good players. We are super young. So, a lot to look forward to in the future.”
Lemay missing the game left the Green Wave without a substitute in the game. Nobody was on the Greenfield bench. The Wave definitely missed the scoring punch that Lemay provides.
“Not having her definitely hurt us, for sure. ” Thayer said.
Leah Newton scored for Lunenburg. The goal came in the last few seconds of the first quarter.
