BUCKLAND — For the first few minutes of Monday’s game against Pioneer Valley Regional, the Mohawk Trail Regional field hockey team found itself on the defensive.
The visiting Panthers started fast, generating several opportunities against the Warriors.
Then Mya Lesieur grabbed possession and made a charge up the sideline in front of Mohawk Trail’s exuberant bench, getting the ball into Pioneer’s defensive end. Momentum changed quickly from there.
Four goals in quick succession followed, giving the Warriors an eventual 4-0 win in an independent contest.
“Once they got out of the defensive circle, they felt good,” Mohawk Trail co-coach Taylor Shippee said of her team. “They all mentally reset. We’ve been talking about that, not hanging low and being disappointed when the ball is back on defense. Move the ball out and go from there.”
Lesieur scored two of those goals along with an assist in a span of 18 minutes, 37 seconds. Her moment to take charge sparked the offensive output.
“I think it really pumped us up,” Lesieur said. “It got us going. We were talking a lot and passing really well. I think we only go up from here.”
The scoring output was unlike anything the Warriors (3-5-2) have seen all season.
“I don’t think we have even scored four goals (in a game),” Mohawk Trail co-coach Kelsey Scranton said. “They came into this game and their heads were in it. They got one in the goal and that kept them fired up and got them going.”
Pioneer played without Ella Potee, who missed the game with a concussion.
“She’s our leader,” Pioneer coach Sallie Gilliland said. “One-hundred percent. They came out and weren’t ready. I could tell right in warm-ups they weren’t ready.”
While Pioneer allowed the four goals and couldn’t find the net on offense, the Panthers held steady for the remainder of the game after the Mohawk Trail burst.
“We turned it on and held them,” Gilliland said. “I am proud of that. I said I don’t really care about the scoreboard. I worry more about this life challenge. Learn how to jump from when you are getting beaten down.”
Pioneer (3-4-1) held Mohawk Trail to one shot on goal in the second half.
“We held them and they didn’t score any more,” Gilliland said. “I can be proud of that.”
Avery Dupree set up Lesieur for the game’s first goal, sending in a cross in front of Pioneer’s box.
Isis Moon then scored an unassisted goal to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead at 14:48.
Lesieur scored her second goal on an assist by Abby Sinistore.
“She gets everyone else going,” Shippee said of Lesieur. “She gets the ball rolling on the field and off.”
The final goal of the game came when Lesieur set up Lexi Williams to give the Warriors a 4-0 lead.
Sinistore just missed grabbing a goal of her own when she nailed the post on a high-velocity shot from the point.
Kordaryl Kendall picked up the shutout for the Warriors with four saves.
Athena Fowler-Shaw made five saves for the Panthers.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday. Pioneer hosts Mahar at 4:30 p.m. while Mohawk Trail entertains Palmer.
Mohawk 4, Pioneer 0
|
Pioneer |
0 |
0 |
— |
0 |
|
Mohawk |
4 |
0 |
— |
4 |
Goals: (M) Lesieur (2), Williams, Moon.
Assists: (M) Sinistore, Dupree, Lesieur.
Shots: Pioneer 4. Mohawk 10.
Saves: (P) Fowler-Shaw 6. (M) Kendall 4.
Corners: Pioneer 2. Mohawk 9.
