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It's always a battle when New Milford goes up against Pomperaug. Neither team had gotten the better of the other this year, as in the first game of the season, the Green Wave and Panthers played to a 1-1 tie.
On Monday, the two squads faced each other again, and again, regulation time ended in a deadlock. But what was different on this occasion was that the overtime proved fruitful for the Wave, as Jenn Lawson scored in the extra period to give New Milford the 2-1 win.
The deciding goal came after a second half that was mostly dominated by the Panthers. After controlling most of the first half, the Wave saw a reenergized Pomperaug team come barreling out in the second, but the home team took that momentum back when it really counted.
"They surprised us in the second half," said Lawson after the victory. "They came out flying, and we thought, we might want to get a pair of wings, too."
Lawson scored both Wave goals. Even though New Milford controlled the action in the first, there was just one tally, which came on a penalty stroke. After it was ruled that the Panthers' defense stopped a shot that surely would have resulted in a goal in a scrim off a penalty corner, Lawson set up with 25:25 left, and pushed the ball past Panthers keeper Eliz Randolph.
"We practice penalty strokes a lot and have a few players who are quite good," said Wave coach Dawn Hough. "We go with whoever's hot at the moment, and Jenn has been stepping up lately. She knew what she had to do and went up and did it."
Though the home team had control through most of the first, actual shots on goal were limited. The best chance came with just over 23 minutes left, as Lawson had her offering kicked away by Randolph.
Less than five minutes into the second, Pomperaug evened things up. Natalie Verlezza made good on a long shot just inside the circle, and it was a 1-1 game. Like the Wave in the first, the Panthers had control through most of the second and were on the attack often, but got off few shots. The Wave was whistled for a foul identical to the Panthers' in the first, but Pomperaug couldn't convert, as New Milford keeper Maeghan Robidoux was able to block Verlezza's shot.
A 10-minute sudden death overtime is played in tie field hockey games, but on Monday, the Wave didn't require nearly that much time to seal the win. Just 2:02 into the OT, Julia Reilly got the ball off a penalty corner and laid down a perfect cross to Lawson in front, who chipped the ball past Randolph, and the Wave began celebrating.
"Julia did a super job. She beat two defenders by herself, and Jenn was in perfect position," said Hough of the winning goal. "They're gamers. When it came down to what we needed, they were phenomenal."
"It's the kind of play you do a million times in practice, but in a game situation, it's totally different," said Lawson.
And such a victory against a big rival like Pomperaug is that much sweeter.
"They beat us plenty of times over the years, now it's our turn," said the Wave senior, who added that the importance of such a win can't be overestimated. "We're likely to play Pomperaug sometime in the postseason, in SWCs or states, and going 1-0-1 against them is so reassuring."
The Wave held the slight edge in shots, 10-9, and penalty corners, 10-6.
The match was the final league game of the season, and the win sealed up first place for New Milford.
"It was a great win. We played with a lot of poise and direction," said Hough, whose team will get a home game in the first round of the SWC Tournament, to be played today or Saturday. "We came out with no fear against one of the best teams in the state."
Shutout of Indians
Last Friday, the Wave notched a 3-0 shutout of Watertown.
Lexi Pearl got the game's first goal, at 13:43 into the first half. Two minutes later, New Milford was given a penalty stroke, which was converted by Erin Shannon, and Shannon struck again with under a minute left in the half.
The fact that eight different players have scored goals this season is something that has coach Hough encouraged that her team will do well in the postseason.
"Our offense is balanced enough that we can find the open player," she said. "They all know how to shoot and score."
Robidoux played in goal in the first half, with Macey Farnsworth taking over in the second.
The Wave took a 2-0 win at Weston Wednesday night. Goals were scored by Kristi Montemurro and Pearl.
The Wave will play a first-round SWC Tournament game on Saturday. The match against Bethel is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at New Milford High School. If the field at the school is not in playable condition, the game will be moved to Brookfield High School, also at 10:30 a.m.
