New Kent unable to make inroads versus Grafton

New Kent's Clenisteen Lloyd (center) engages in a race for the ball with Grafton's Rachel Pabon (left) and Emma Kirschke.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Grafton’s Clippers rocked New Kent’s host Lady Trojans back on their heels from the outset of Thursday night’s field hockey contest. In a game played almost entirely in New Kent’s end of the field, Grafton cruised to a 7-0 win.

Five minutes in, the Clippers’ Grace Hoepfner scored the first of her four goals on the night off the contest’s initial penalty corner situation. Two more scores were followed by another goal as time expired in the first half, handing the visitors a 4-0 lead at the break.

“I was hoping we could come out stronger after our win on Tuesday,” said New Kent coach Matt Duckworth, pointing to a 2-0 triumph at home over Bruton.

“[Grafton] just played fast,” he said. “The girls played hard, but we had no shots and very little possessions. We’ve been working on possessions in practice and I thought we’d see more of it tonight, but we were overwhelmed by their speed.”

The outcome evened New Kent’s record at 4-4, but the Lady Trojans are unbeaten (2-0) in conference play.