Lady Trojans fall to WCA in sudden death overtime, 2-1

New Kent’s Clare Morris (left) and Williamsburg Christian Academy’s Alexis Reyes converge on the ball.

Alan Chamberlain photo

In search of their fourth field hockey win in five tries against non-district competition, New Kent’s Lady Trojans battled Williamsburg Christian Academy’s Eagles to a 1-1 standoff in regulation. Early in sudden death overtime, however, the Eagles punched in the deciding shot to escape with a 2-1 triumph.

New Kent fell to 3-9 overall with the Oct. 4 loss, but Lady Trojan coach Matt Duckworth heaped praise on his squad.

“That was a real barnburner,” he said. “I really credit the girls for staying with it and not giving up after [WCA] took that early lead. Our girls could have bagged it and gone home for the weekend but they played hard.”

The visitors broke into the scoring column early in the first half on a goal by Caroline Nice. New Kent had opportunities to score, but could not break through until the seven-minute mark when Kristin Baumgardner took a pass from Elizabeth Heath to stroke in the tying goal.

The teams battled through a scoreless second half. New Kent had its best chances to break the deadlock on shots by Clare Morris and Becky Butkus-Newman.

The Eagle defense, however, smothered Morris’ shot, and Butkus-Newman’s effort sailed just high and wide of the Eagle goal.

But in overtime and less than two minutes into the extra period, the Eagles’ Jessica Cooke scored the deciding goal.

WCA managed a 9-6 edge in shots for the night. Lady Trojan goalkeeper Megan Bland recorded three saves.