Falcons Dodge an Upset in Field Hockey, 3-2

Senior Susie Rhodes anchors the Ireton defense.

In the game’s first 7 minutes it looked like Good Counsel was on the verge of a rout of the third year Bishop Ireton field hockey program, leading 3-0. In the game’s final 7 minutes it looked like the Cardinals were on their way to a stunning finish. But when the redbirds came up empty on their final penalty corner attempt with no time left on the clock, the Falcons escaped with a narrow 3-2 win on Fannon Field Monday.

“I changed our approach after Good Counsel scored their three goals, that new strategy was the difference.” said Ireton’s Erin Simons. “I lost this game, it was my coaching that was the difference. When we made the change, the complexion of the game changed.” Indeed the Cardinals seemed to push the game into their offensive zone for long periods of time as the Falcons scrambled to clear their end.

The Cardinals comeback started with a goal from Christine Macey as the final minutes wound down. Hayley Snell soon scored Ireton’s second goal, and Kelly Mathews appeared to have scored off a penalty corner until the finer points of the oft confusing game intervened.

“On a penalty corner, a shot has to hit the black wooden backboard to count. A deflection could go up into the net, as Kelly’s shot did, but without a deflection the shot doesn’t count as a goal. Tough call for us, no doubt, but that was a good call. I looked it up.” reported Simons after the game. Similarly, a game can’t end even when time expires if a penalty corner is awarded. The home team had that final chance to tie the game and send it to overtime, but when the Falcons cleared the ball from the circle, the game was over.

For Bishop Ireton, the Cardinals fall to 4-5 overall, 1-4 in the WCAC. The Cambridge crew travels to John Paul the Great on Friday for a non conference tilt with the Wolves before returning to Fannon Field on Monday for a Senior Day contest with Middleburg Academy. Ireton topped the Dragons 5-0 in Middleburg earlier this season. Varsity is scheduled for a 4pm start.