Clippers, Sharks Play 3-3 Field Hockey Thriller

“I told the girls they should be disappointed about not winning, but they shouldn’t be disappointed about the way that they played,” FHS Head Coach Courtney Lima said after the game. “They played great from whistle to whistle. (Monomoy) is a very talented team, their (Caroline and Helen DiGiovanni), we hung with them, we scored first.”

In terms of ball and field control, the Clippers had the better of the Sharks for most of the game, but Monomoy’s quick strike ability—thanks in large part to the supremely talented DiGiovannis—kept them in the game. FHS never trailed, but also never led for very long. Every time the Clippers found the back of the goal the Sharks had an answer.

Clippers’ junior captain Katie Shanahan led the way with a goal and two assists in an extremely well-played two-way game by the central midfielder. She also nearly helped the team score the winner with just under five minutes left to go with an excellent feed to Kara Guidi, who was streaking up the left side, but the well-placed wrist shot by Guidi was kicked out by MHS keeper Caroline Upson.

“It was insane. We all played great as a team. Our coaches gave us a great game plan and I think we executed it pretty well,” Shanahan said. “We definitely dominated the whole game, we kept the intensity up. Them coming back was a little bit frustrating, but overall we played really well the whole game and I don’t think that we have anything to be upset about.”

FHS took the lead initially in the first quarter on a goal from Natalie Bosselman. Shanahan twirled the ball from the top of the circle to her left for Bosselman, who picked the far post and snapped one in from 11-yards away to break the ice early in the second quarter.

Monomoy got that one back with 6:42 to play in the period on a goal from Emily Layton. The shot came from right in front of goalie Lola Russell, who was surrounded by traffic.

FHS reclaimed the lead after halftime on a penalty corner. Nevaeha Melton put the ball in play and Shanahan fired from the top of the circle. The shot appeared to hit a Monomoy stick and change direction on the way. The goal came with 4:15 remaining in the third.

Just about 90 seconds later the Sharks tied it for the second time. Caroline DiGiovanni finished off a feed from her sister, Helen, on the run to make it 2-2.

The back-and-forth action saw FHS get the advantage again moments later when Shanahan fired from high in the zone, with Upson making the initial save. Guidi jammed the second chance home late in the third to make it 3-2, which is where the game stood going to the fourth.

The fourth quarter saw Monomoy draw even early on thanks to a penalty corner that they were able to deliver on. Carly Dimock chopped a shot in just 1:40 into the period that hit off of an FHS defender and then the edge of Russell’s left leg pad before crossing the goal line to make it 3-3.

Each team had opportunities for the winner late, but the game concluded in a draw.

Earlier in the week, on Monday night, FHS beat Notre Dame for the second time in a week, taking a 2-0 decision on the road. Melton and Colleen Caswell had the goals for Falmouth in the game.

FHS visits rival Barnstable Friday, September 24, at 3:30. On Monday the team hosts West Bridgewater, whom it beat 4-1 on opening day, and then on Wednesday, September 29, the Clippers get their first shot at league champions Sandwich in a big rivalry game.