By Christopher Shaban
Eagle Times Correspondent
WINDSOR, VT — Blake Wardwell’s Yellow Jackets stickers fell to Division 2 Woodstock on Thursday, Sept. 28, but things are still headed in the right direction for the Division 3 team.
“We really don’t like to lose but by playing teams in the higher divisions, it prepares us for the next steps ahead,” said Wardwell.
With a schedule chock full of Division 1 and 2 teams, the Jacks field hockey team is focused on late season games. Out of the seven games played so far, only one game against Springfield has come against a team in their division.
“Every game we improve on something,” said Amber Simonds, senior. “Today I think we worked well as a team and we closed the gaps in our end of the field against a really good Woodstock team.”
After a scoreless first period, the Wasps broke through as Grace Perrault snuck one past Sydney Perry while the visitor’s controlled time of possession by a big margin in the first half. Woodstock came out of the break looking to put Windsor away, but Perry was solid in net kicking away multiple Wasp shots. Eventually the continued pressure paid off as Woodstock kept peppering the Jacks goal and led 4-0 entering the final period.
“We were just unlucky today. It seemed like the ball hopped over our sticks or we just couldn’t grab a break on a rush,” said Perry. “Either way, we played hard and I’m happy with the way we kept at it.”
Windsor looked to get on the board in the final period as Gwen Ambrose, Mackenzie Kleefish and Gabby Gilbert all made good runs at goal. With the Woodstock defensive aggressiveness, the Yellow Jackets either shot a bit wide or were gobbled up with Wasps swarming to the ball.
“It really is beneficial to play these tough games now,” said Ambrose. “We are gaining confidence and things like our communication and spacing is coming along against these really strong teams.”
Things don’t get much easier for Windsor as they face 4-0-1 Burr and Burton (another D2 school) then back-to-back games against division opponent Fair Haven. Montpelier sits atop the Division 3 standings with a 6-0 record with all their games being played against Division 3 opponents but one. Windsor currently sits in third place with 3 wins and 4 losses.
“We have it in us make some noise this season,” Wardwell said. “These teams we are playing are really good, but so are we. This is why we play up into the higher divisions.”
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