By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
NEWPORT — The Newport Tiger Field Hockey team defeated undefeated Mascenic 6-1 on Monday, making a big statement in the process. The athletic and young Tigers ripped in two goals in the first quarter, then two more before half to cruise to their 4th win of the season.
“This is what we worked for, we fight as hard as we can and trust our teammates, the rest will take care of itself,” said sophomore Maddox Lovely, as she opened the scoring with a wicked shot into the far corner. Just when it looked like the Vikings would grab some offensive time, a big clear off the stick of Katie Sharron landed at the feet of Taylor Fellows and the race was on. Mascenic’s Autumn Hughes came well off her line which forced Fellows to cut left, then curled back towards net, where she twisted around and planted her shot into the boards to make it 2-0. That is where the score stood entering the second period.
Newport’s defense was stellar all day in front of goalie Bree Robertson with Natasha Carpenter, Bella Osgood, Peyton Blackinton, and Maddy Norris tasked with protecting Robertson and the Tiger cage.
Newport would increase their lead with a combination of fancy stick handling, speed and some strong shooting. All-State candidate Sharron was denied earlier in the game, but when she reached back and let one fly, there was no stopping her flick, as the Tiger lead moved to 3-0. Maddox would wow the crowd moments later with a run down the sideline and some air dribbling that showcased her speed and let her run past would-be Viking defenders. That rush resulted in a goal from Nevaeh Caron with a nifty assist off the stick of Fellows as Shannon Martin’s team headed into the break with a huge 4-0 lead.
“We are doing everything right, the speed and spacing was just what we are capable of. We are playing the game the way we should,” said Martin. “Our sticks are down, and we are racing back on defense.”
Any thoughts that Mascenic might have had about a comeback was answered early after a sizzler of a shot off the stick of Sharron was tipped in by Fellows to make it 5-0 before Mascenic grabbed one back.
Newport’s Blackinton’s goal would close out the scoring on the day off a corner to improve the Tigers record to 4-1 sitting in 5th place in Division 3 while Mascenic fell to 3-1 with the loss.
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