Tigers Feast on Orioles: The Rain was No Match for 7-1 Newport, Who Won 6-2

By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
NEWPORT — Neither the rain nor Conant slowed the Newport Tigers Field Hockey team down, as they zipped past the Orioles 6-2 on Tuesday. “We actually like to play in the rain, it makes things go faster and we like that tempo,” said Newport’s Taylor Fellows, who scored twice for the 7-1 Tigers.

Junior captain Katie Sharron opened things up with two quick goals for Shannon Martin’s Tigers before the rain started, and the Tigers seemed to thrive under those conditions. “We like to keep the ball moving and run onto it, our speed really helps us and with a slick field, the ball really took off today,” said Sharron.

Conant hadn’t lost a game all season until Gilford knocked them off last week. In this contest, they came storming back with two goals toward the end of the half to square the match 2-2, but Newport would answer right back. The aggressive Tiger offense grabbed a corner as Fellows was in the right spot to flick a shot home for Newport to take a 3-2 lead into the break.

The second half start was all Newport as the Tiger midfield was all over the place keeping the pressure on the visitors. Peyton Blackinton, Bella Osgood and Sharron were everywhere a black shirt was, and with Maddy Norris and Kylie Janike rushing up, it was only a matter of time before the Tigers would open their lead.

Fellows made a beautiful run down the middle of the field that brought the Conant goalie off her line and the feed to Maddox Lovely was perfect for a goal. Fellows then took it upon herself to push in another shot as she made a nifty move that caused the keeper to fall trying to stop Fellows as the Newport lead grew to 5-2.

This game was a contrast between the speed and athleticism of Newport and the power of a very good ball striking team from Conant. “The work during the summer and our conditioning is really paying off, we like to get up and down the field and with the slick grass, we seemed to have a bit more stamina than Conant did today,” said Fellows.

Lovely would cap off the day’s scoring. A beautiful feed off the lumber of Jazmyn McNamara left the cage wide open for Lovely, as everyone looked for a blast by McNamara to close out the 6-2 Tiger win.

“We just keep working together, we spread the field well and attack when we see the opportunity,” said Martin, who called today’s win in the rain “dynamite”.

Newport’s next four games will all be on the road before closing out the season hosting Kearsarge. Then, a contest at Stevens under the lights, in a game that will have huge playoff implications.