New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 29, 2024

Lilly lifts New Kent to win column with overtime goal on Senior Night

By Robb Johnson | March 25, 2021 11:07 pm

New Kent's Bri Richardson (left) races up the field to control the ball against a Warhill defender.

Robb Johnson photo

Senior Night for New Kent Lady Trojans’ field hockey team focused on the objective to show improvement on the field. In a rematch against the visiting Warhill Lady Lions, it would take more than the 60 minutes of regulation to determine a victor.

A goal by Lady Trojan Peyton Lilly two-and-a-half minutes into the overtime period ended the contest as New Kent edged Warhill 1-0 in the March 25 Bay Rivers District match.

For the first 60 minutes, both teams were unsuccessful on penalty corners while defenses provided a stalemate during regulation time. As the battle on the field became more physical, it would see the speed of Lilly outrace defenders down the field.

During a Warhill inbound opportunity, a mishandle by the visitors resulted in Lilly gaining control of the ball. The junior forward made her way down the field, scoring a timely goal and ending the game. Lilly’s score also lifted the Lady Trojans record to .500, posting a 3-3 record.

After the contest, New Kent head coach Cristen Sickal talked about the team’s effort and late score to clinching the game.

“It was pretty incredible,” she said about the game and her team’s ability to rise to the occasion. “I saw the ball going up the field and Peyton [Lilly] was the only one going for it.

“She has really had clutch last minute goals in her career,” Sickal added, pointing it to the late score being the fourth in her career. “She had similar chances in the first half, and as soon as she took the shot, I knew it was going to hit the left corner of the goal and go in. That’s a wrap and we won the game.”