March 28, 2024

Defense carries Dighton-Rehoboth over Seekonk

Field Hockey: D-R 2, Seekonk 0

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REHOBOTH - What’s better than having a lights out goalie on a field hockey team?

Having two.

Dighton-Rehoboth coach Meaghan Marcotte has been using Emelia Tremblay and Sam Benevides in net, and the combo combined with some solid defensive play for a 2-0 win over rival Seekonk on Monday afternoon.

“Playing two goalies has been working,” Marcotte said after the Falcons snapped their two-game losing skid and climbed back over .500 on the season at 3-2. “We’re taking it game-by-game. It depends on who’s hot that day and who’s not. Emilia is really quick on her feet and really good when facing constant shots. Sam is very good at communicating with the entire defense, who’s open and who needs to go where. She’s very vocal, I can hear her all the way from the bench.”

It was Benevides who had the tougher assignment on Monday, taking her place in net in the second half when Seekonk found its footing and applied pressure on net. Bria Dunphy, Camron Loomis and Cece Neary all had scoring chances in the second half for the Warriors (1-4) but were unable to find the net.

“We had our opportunities in the second half, we just didn’t convert,” Seekonk coack Kim Pellerin said after the game. “In the second half, we passed much better. Instead of passing east and west, we were passing north and south, and that led to better execution in the second half.”

Hailey Calore scored in the first half off a corner on an assist from Maddy Kane Sylvia at 7:04. The Falcons held a 1-0 lead at halftime before Cassie Lunghi made it 2-0 at 15:10 in the second. The Falcons’ defense held on from there to secure the victory.

REPORTERTODAY.COM MVP: Maddy Kane Sylvia had an assist and paced the defense to a shut out. “She played really, really well,” Marcotte said. “She’s so consistent back there. When the ball goes to her, I know it’ll be ok.”

WARRIORS COMING ALONG: Seekonk is one of the youngest teams in the South Coast Conference, and although the 1-4 record isn’t impressive, Pellerin said she’s very encouraged with what she’s seen from the team so far. “We’re young, so with practice and playing teams that are a little better than us right now, we’ll get better,” she said. “We have a couple of freshman starting out there. We’re improving and maybe by the second half of the season we’ll be a force to be reckoned with. They’re good kids and they want to learn, and that’s what we’re looking for. If they want to learn we can make them better.”

DEFENSIVE D-R: Seekonk generated plenty of pressure in the second half, but the trio of Macayla Sousa, Grace Fagundes and Sarah Howard were among the Falcons stepping up on defense to preserve the shutout. “I’m very happy with the defense,” Marcotte said. “They have really good stick skills. Our side defenders can get back and dribble down the field if needed.”

WARRIORS TO WORK ON OFFENSE: Pellerin said the No. 1 item on the list of things to work on is offense. “We only had one shot today,” she said after Monday’s game. “We need to shoot more. It’ll come with experience. They’re trying to make the pretty pass instead of letting it rip.”

KUDOS FROM THE COACH: Marcotte said midfielder Natalia Martin had a good game against Seekonk. The midfielder was all over the field on both ends. … Pellerin credited Bria Dunphy and Lauren Tortolani for their play on Monday, and added that goalie Xivlie Perry “has been solid so far this season.”

STALEMATE: The D-R and Seekonk junior varsity teams played to a 0-0 tie while the varsity game was going on.

UP NEXT: Dighton-Rehoboth has a tough task on its plate as the Falcons will face the defending state champions, Somerset Berkley, on the road Wednesday. “We have to work really hard on making up. We want to keep them from being comfortable,” Marcotte said. … Seekonk will face SCC rival Apponequet on Friday. “We need to shoot more. One shot a game isn’t a good recipe.”

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