Windham Middle School field hockey has a mighty return against Portland

By Matt Pascarella

In their first game back from quarantine, the Windham field hockey team had had only one practice before their game against Portland.

Windham eighth grader Abby Trainor makes her way to
Portland's goal on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at Doherty Field in
Portland. Windham Middle School fights hard for two halves,
but Portland recorded a 3-1 win.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

It wasn’t noticeable as these girls gave it all on the field and played hard for the full 40 minutes.

Windham was aggressive and kept their heads up after Portland scored early in the game. Windham eighth grader Abby Trainor got the ball and broke away from her defenders to score and tied the game. Windham fought very hard and had strong defense, but Portland got the 3-1 win.

In only her third time playing goalie Windham eighth grader Olivia McPherson stopped many, many shots against Portland and kept their score to only three.

“It’s kind of exciting but also never-racking,” said McPherson. “You get kind of nervous if a ball comes toward you and you don’t have defense or if it’s a one-on-one sort of thing. I try to come out of the goal as much as possible so I can kick the ball before they get a chance to [score].”

Windham stayed with the ball in the beginning of the game. After Portland scored in the first quarter, the Lady Eagles turned up the intensity in the second quarter and really went hard after the ball.

Windham’s defense kept the ball away from their goal in the second quarter as the Lady Eagles took multiple shots at Portland’s goal. They passed well and worked to be first to the ball. At the half, Portland led 1-0.

Windham’s aggressiveness did not stop in the second half and it didn’t take long for Trainor to rush at Portland’s goalie and got the ball by her.

“It felt I was just running … and no one could stop me,” said Trainor. She said passing and getting open went really well during the game. She thought Windham did well overall.

Windham seventh grader Sarah Smyth said they did really well communicating with teammates.

Windham continued to pressure and had several shots on goal, not letting the Portland goalie take much of a rest.

At the buzzer, Portland was able to maintain their lead.

“They are doing really good, we have a very small team,” said Windham Middle School field hockey coach Carrie Colby. “It was a really good game for us; I know they’re discouraged, but they … played well.” <