Smithfield ramps up pressure, goals defeat Lady Trojans 3-1

Lady Trojan Kiersten Fuller (10) plays keep away from Ally Mott during an intense first half play.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent’s Lady Trojans field hockey team came into the Oct. 2 contest knowing they would have to play a near perfect game to defeat the invading Smithfield Lady Packers. Unfortunately, goaltending woes and bad offense played into a 3-1 loss to their Bay Rivers’ opponent.

Less than two minutes into the contest, a penalty corner by Smithfield’s Libby Darden provided the guests a 1-0 advantage. New Kent survived three additional Lady Packer scoring attempts, finally extracting revenge just before the half as an Emily Montecalvo goal knotted the game up at one apiece.

Second half play saw the visitors’ Kaitlyn Minga convert on a penalty corner, returning the lead to the guests for good. Smithfield’s aggression pressured the hosts, leading to Brooke Wilson’s goal to up the advantage to two (3-1). Packer pressure also prevented the Lady Trojans from any shot attempt in the second half.

After the contest, New Kent head coach Matt Duckworth spoke about the Monday night loss.

“They played faster and were more determined tonight than we were, especially after the last penalty corner they converted in the second frame,” said the disappointed coach.

“We have to get out the circle and avoid fouls in the circle,” he added, pointing to the 10 penalty corner attempts by Smithfield in comparison to the two earned by the Lady Trojans. “We just have to play better and respond with better offense and clean up goaltending in the long run.”

New Kent drops to 6-8 on the season.