The Taft Thirds Field Hockey team played their first game on Saturday, on a beautiful sunny day at Suffield Academy. Taft was on defense quickly into the first half, with every Taft player playing their very first game of field hockey in their lives! Suffield came out strong and fast. Our defense quickly gained their footing, kick-started by a strong clear out of the defensive circle by #7, Brooke Adair. Brooke and center forward Samantha Gulden then found themselves in a breakaway toward the goal, and, upon reaching the offensive circle, earned Taft’s first corner. After a strong insert, Tatum Brewer received the ball and led our corner play. Again on defense, center back-fielder Mackenzie Kloss protected goalie Isabelle Smith with a strong clear halfway through the first half. Taft’s first goal attempt came with seven minutes left in the first half, after a breakaway by Brooke put the ball in Taft’s offensive circle and a pass to Adelaide Wood earned a corner. The offense then faced a strong Suffield defensive line; they were able to, at 5:49, earn their first goal, with an assist from Adelaide Wood to forward Anna-Lee Lynch. The Suffield team very quickly recovered, and moved the ball to our defensive circle; left midfielder Adair Wood worked to contain the Suffield forward line, benefitting from both her speed and smart defensive tactics. As the end of the first half neared, Tatum found the ball and sent a strong ball to center forward Sam, where the ball changed possession quickly in the center of the field. In the midfield, Brooke executed a clean tackle and took the ball from the Suffield forward line, and Taft maintained possession until the half time buzzer. In the second half, the Suffield offense moved the ball consistently to our defensive circle, and Lower Mid Alicia Sze consistently executed strong clears and earned favorable calls, allowing Taft to move the ball out of danger. After a strong free hit by Tatum and tenacious play outside the offensive circle by Sam, Suffield regained possession and Mackenzie Kloss stepped up to put the brakes on a fast offensive breakaway. Midway through the second half, Alicia again stepped up on defense, and took on the Suffield forwards to clear the ball cleanly from our defensive circle. A determined and fast Suffield offense was met by Adair Wood, who played patient, smart defense, and won the call in Taft’s favor. The heat of the day, and the speed of play on Suffield’s beautiful turf taxed the 10-person Taft team physically, but they protected goalie Isabelle, only giving up two defensive corners in the second half. Taft continued to play defense, even to the final play of the game: a defensive corner on which time ran out. Taft walked off the field with their first win of the season, 1-0, and with goalie Isabelle boasting her first shut-out. The Taft team was supported, throughout the match, by Marion Orondo and Olivia Graham who, though removed from active play by the athletic trainers, cheered for their teammates and helped buoy morale during a tough game. The Suffield coaches and the referees in this game were patient, helpful, and accommodating of Taft’s small and still developing team, and every player was proud on the way home to Watertown.