Blazers defeat Cavaliers

Tuesday, Oct. 12- Montgomery Blair

The Blair girl's varsity field hockey team returned to the win column as they defeated the Kennedy Cavaliers 1-0 in a game that wasn't nearly as close as the score would indicate.

The Blazers won their second game of the season (they also beat Wheaton earlier in the season) to improve their record to 2-7. The Blazers have struggled to possess the ball and get the ball on offense this season. However, against Kennedy the Blazers dominated possession and kept the ball on offense for much of the game.

The Blazers still had trouble putting the ball into the back of the goal and were unable to put the game away. The team amassed many penalty corners but were unable to convert on any of them. Also numerous crosses rolled right in front of the goal with no on-running Blair player to knock it in.

The first half began with back and forth play as both teams worked to get into a rhythm. The Blazers eventually took charge of the game, but were unable to score in the first half and went into half-time tied 0-0.

Finally midway through the second half the Blazers found the goal when senior Christina Do hit a beautiful shot that snuck into the corner of the goal inches past the outstretched leg of Kennedy's goalie.

The Blazer defense held on for the rest of the game and posted their second shutout of the season. The defense was able to keep the ball in the offensive zone and deny Kennedy a chance to attack. Junior Sydney Valdez played an excellent game as her strikes were on target and she even dribbled up into the offense half.

Blair's senior captains all played solid games sparking the Blazer attack and anchoring the defense. Alexa Gabriel had many dangerous crosses on offense. Julia Penn and Rachel Feely-Kohl played well in the midfield passing and dribbling through the Kennedy defense.

Against stronger opponents the Blazers will have to improve their finishing ability but the team is showing improvement from the beginning of the season. The Blazers will next play Blake away on Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:00 p.m.