Dover & Pawling battle to 1-1 draw in field hockey

Djonovic, Hamner score the two goals

Visit the Photo Gallery for Both Teams

By John M. Benson
October 4, 2007

Pawling and Dover battled to a 1-1 draw in field hockey on October 4 at Pawling.

With Dover coach by Kara Acken and Pawling coached by June Lagan, the teams appeared to be so evenly matched that no outcome other than a draw seemed appropriate.

Michelle Djonovic scored for Dover late in the final two minutes of the first half. Djonovic gained possession at midfield, charged up the right side, turned the corner and approached the goal behind the Pawling defense. She fired a powerful shot up high that barely cleared under the bar, giving the Dragons the 1-0 lead at the halftime break.

Pawling coach June Lagan explained after the game that a shot on goal is permissible if only the goalkeeper is between the shooter and the goal.

Ariana Hamner scored for Pawling midway through the second half to tie the score at 1-1. Hamner had broken free up the middle and made a shot on goal, and when it hit a Dragon foot, Pawling was awarded a penalty corner. Alex Petti took the corner hit, looking around the circle at Hamner, Nora Johnston, Sarah Apple and Jen Rabe. Petti passed to the nearest Tiger, Hamner, who stopped the ball squared up, and fired a rocket that winged inside the far post for the goal and the 1-1 tie with Dover.

The offenses and defenses exchanged outstanding plays throughout the game. The defenses were solid and sure, but the relentless offenses forced their way and achieved numerous opportunities.

Keepers Cassie Hyatt for Dover and Rebecca McKinney for Pawling were nothing short of spectacular, making saves that seemed impossible on attackers with shots from the open or from within a frantic crowd in front of the goal.

Coach Kara Acken said of her players after the game, “They played their hearts out, and we will be ready for them the next time.”

The Dover Roster: Alicia Tamboia, Allie Rinaldi, Michelle Djonovic, Carly Anderson, Meghan Lahm, Gina Perri, Lisa Quaglina, Ally Emerson, Kasie Laverro,  Kayla Baruffo, Alexa Schwall, Alexandra Abrams, Chrissy Schlaw and Erin Franco.

The Pawling Roster: Rebecca McKinney, Alex Petti, Ariana Hamner, Sarah Apple, Caitlin Reynolds, Claire Olson, Tara Smith, Elena Herrera, Callen Maguire, Jen Rabe, Monique Lamond, Nora Johnston, Marisa Kaplan and Emily Coursen.