Nashoba working hard, getting better

By Craig Holt
ITEM CORRESPONDENT

BOLTON— Catch a Nashoba field hockey game and chances are you'll get the message: The Chieftains are working hard and getting better.

That was evident on Monday afternoon when Nashoba hosted once-beaten field hockey power Shrewsbury.

To be sure, the hustling Chieftains fell a bit short, losing a defensive struggle 2-0 amid misty, dank conditions. That said, Nashoba battled boldly throughout, kept things close, and rode the game-long, workman-like effort of sophomore goalie Kaitlin Medeiros.

Medeiros, who shares time in net with junior Betsy Hagermoser, came into the game with a 1.55 goals against average. She was muddied and battered against the Colonials, but hung tough.

The quick-footed Medeiros sidetracked a line-drive penalty shot in the second half, and booted away several shots from within the circle.

"We played a great game against one of the top teams around, a team that leads Mid-Wach A and is in a higher Division than us," said third-year Nashoba coach Kerry Berry, a former field hockey standout (two-time All-American) at Assumption College, and at Wachusett Regional (career and single season scoring leader).

"Even though it's been a rebuilding year, our kids have really come together over the last week or so," she said. "We were actually undefeated (three wins, one tie) last week.

"So even though we didn't win against Shrewsbury, it was still like a highlight for us," Berry continued." We've come together as a team, and we're playing as a team. We're scoring and we're defending. It's positive energy, not negative energy. Things are going very well for us at the moment. We're on the rise."

Berry lauded Medeiros' defensive play against Shrewsbury. She described Medeiros as feisty and aggressive, and an important cog in the Chieftains' second-half resurgence. Medeiros is spectacular to watch, Berry added.

Medeiros and Hagermoser, a captain, give Nashoba an imposing defensive presence in net. Berry noted that Hagermoser, who began the week with a goals-against average of 2.40, has been solid all season.

Nashoba has a good mix of athletes, with many underclassmen and several seniors.

Senior center halfback Sara Wilson has been steady. Berry said that Wilson has a great game sense, good driving ability, and great stickwork, and pretty much controls the backfield.

Senior captain Alysse Staake, a back, has been solid all year. Among other things, she provides leadership and hustle to the Chieftains' cause.

Senior midfielder Courtney Cutler is a workhorse, unsung hero type who doesn't score, but gives 100 percent every game, Berry noted.

Senior forward Leah Chow has been a hard worker and consistent performer, the kind of player coaches need, Berry said. Among other things, Chow has been an effective offensive player who has been able to manufacture several good shots.

Sophomore right wing Katie Ledoux is Nashoba's leading scorer. She had six goals and two assists heading into the Shrewsbury game.

Freshman wing Rebecca Aldrich has several goals, while junior Courtney Collier, a multiple-sport athlete who's an all-star in softball, has been a model of consistency. Berry noted that Collier is smart, has an outstanding shot, and good strength. Collier began the week with one goal and seven assists.

Berry described sophomore sweeper Molly Kelly as "tiny and tough." Berry noted that Kelly, who also plays ice hockey, can come out of the backfield and dribble up to 75 yards.

"She's amazing - nothing is going to get by her," Berry said.

Junior Liz Pane provides the Chieftains consistency and all-out hustle at the midfield slot, while sophomore back Courtney Baker, a one-time forward, has excelled in a defensive role after being an offensive stalwart.

Other contributers include Jenelle Bonazzoli, Kelly Sullivan, Meg Powell, Cat Philbin, Shannon Kelly, Amy Lane, Chelsea Newton, and Jillian Buciero. Jaime (Garofoli) Mariani, a former Clinton High and Clark University field hockey standout, assists Berry.

With four games remaining on the schedule as of Tuesday, Nashoba needed victories in each to qualify for the Central Mass. Tournament.

Two of those games are against Gardner and Quabbin, potent clubs that defeated the Chieftains earlier. Citing the Chieftains' improvement,Berry is hopeful that the results will be different this time around.

The other two games are against Littleton and Lunenburg, both of whom are in lower divisions.

Nashoba has beaten Groton-Dunstable, Oakmont and league rival Marlboro twice. One reason for this can be linked to the Chieftains' improvement offensively. Nashoba struggled to score in the early going, but by mid-season, the offense got untracked and the Chieftains took off.

Berry said that field hockey, which has no feeder program, is gaining in popularity at Nashoba. About 30 freshmen went out for the sport this year, something unheard of in years gone by. This factor, combined with the overall youth of Nashoba's starters, bodes well for the sport's future.

"It's been an up-and-down year, but the kids want to improve and they want to be here," Berry said. "It's been a pleasure to work with such great kids. The future for field hockey at Nashoba is very bright."