Beat Wilmington for Giovanna “G” Tarr
By DAN BYRNE
WAKEFIELD—Last Friday, the Wakefield Memorial High School girls’ varsity field hockey team took the field in the rain to play against Middlesex League powerhouse Watertown.
The Warriors have traditionally had a hard time with Watertown, but this year’s team bucked tradition and gave the Raiders a run for their money, as the Warriors pushed them the entire game, ultimately falling short by a 2-1 final score.
“What an amazing game,” head coach Cara Luca said following the game Friday. “We not only played in the sideways rain but the girls didn’t give up.”
“We went in having a defensive mind set just wanting to hold Watertown. They are the New England Patriots of field hockey,” Luca explained.
“Every girl on this team gave it their all. From Abby (Boudreau) making beautiful saves and clearing them out to our defensemen, to the transition, to our midfielders who were able to carry the ball up the field and pass to our forwards, who were then able to score,” said the coach.
Warrior goalie Abby Boudreau recorded 12 saves in Friday’s game, keeping the score close and the Warriors within striking distance.
Though they trailed 1-0 at halftime, the Warriors fought back in the second half. When they got the ball into their offensive zone, Wakefield cranked up the pressure.
As the Warriors worked the ball around, Annabella Forziati worked it over to the stick of Grace Seabury, who felt emboldened to shoot. The freshman’s quick shot beat Watertown’s defenses and crossed the goal line, tying the score at one.
“When Grace scored the goal in the second half and tied it up, my heart jumped out of my skin. I was so happy – the girls, the crowd, everyone was so happy,” Coach Luca recalled.
“We haven’t been able to place the ball in the net for years against Watertown. We always had opportunities but never a goal,” she said.
Wakefield held the Raiders down most of the second half, and as the end of the game came into view, things shifted.
Watertown got possession and found their way into the Warrior zone. With four minutes remaining, the Raiders won a corner, and converted it into a goal to take the 2-1 lead where the game would come to an end.
The result did not tarnish the performance for Coach Luca, who couldn’t have praised her team anymore saying, “I am so proud of the way we played today. I couldn’t be more proud of this team. It would have been nice to tie Watertown, but we reassured the girls what they did today was amazing and each and everyone one of them should be proud.”
Beat Wilmington for “G”
Wakefield traveled to Wilmington on Monday for the annual “Lace up for Cancer” game. The Warriors dedicated their performance to Giovanna “G” Tarr.
With their “Win 4 G” signs proudly displayed, the Warriors won 3-2. It was a big game for Wakefield’s season goal of making the playoffs. After going on a seven-game winning streak to bring their record to 7-4, Wakefield dropped their next three to Belmont, Winchester and Watertown. Getting back above .500 was key as Wakefield has three games remaining.
Annabella Forziati led the way with all three of Wakefield’s goals.
The senior captain accounted for the only goal of the first half.
Wilmington tied it up in the second half twice. Forziati, having already re-claimed the lead to make it 2-1, didn’t flinch when the Wildcats made it 2-2.
She got the win for “G” and the Warriors on a clutch goal with just three minutes remaining.
Boudreau recorded 12 saves.
Now at 8-7, Wakefield will need to win one of their final three games to make the tournament. All three games will be played on the friendly confines of Landrigan Field as they will host Melrose today at 4 p.m., Stoneham on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and Burlington on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m.
