PEABODY — St. Mary’s field hockey team (8-0-1) continued its undefeated start to the season with a convincing 8-0 victory against host Bishop Fenwick (2-5-1) Tuesday.
The Spartans jumped on the Crusaders from the get-go. Keira Twomey and Alyssa Norden netted goals to make it 2-0 through six minutes.
St. Mary’s took that lead into the second quarter, and that’s when Norden got hot. She scored three of her four goals in the second quarter to secure a hat-trick and increase the Spartans’ lead.
“I said it a couple of games ago, that Alyssa has a really good eye for the net,” said St. Mary’s coach Victoria Ault. “The one thing I love about her is she’s not one of these players that’s extremely good and can’t be coached. She’s extremely coachable. Every practice, she’s asking what she can work on to improve her shot variation. She’s working on her angles within the circle. She’s always doing what she’s got to do to get better.”
The Spartans dominated possession and won most 50/50 balls.
The Crusaders, a young team with only three seniors, struggled to match the energy level of St. Mary’s. After the game, Fenwick coach Marybeth Mahoney said she wants to see more hunger from her players.
“I think it’s something to be said about always playing with intensity and seeing that you can’t take a play off or take a break on the field. There were a lot of moments when we got out-hustled,” Mahoney said. “I think when you’re younger, you think there’s so much time ahead – especially in a game – but knowing you have to put in a full 60 minutes when you’re out there is an important lesson for them to learn.”
One consistent theme for St. Mary’s has been its defense, led by senior captain and goalie Tabby Lopes, who has allowed just one goal through nine games.
“Our defense is something we’ve always prided ourselves on. Tabby has done an amazing job,” Ault said. “I’ve had her since seventh grade from basketball and field hockey, and I’ve probably been the hardest on her in terms of development. She’s passionate and wants it this year.”
St. Mary’s goal-scorers were Norden (4), Twomey (2), Camdyn Driscoll, and Mila Parsons.
Its eighth goal came late in the fourth quarter when seventh grader Effie Parsons found her sister, Mila, who tapped one in for her first varsity goal.
When asked about the team’s early success, Ault praised captains Lopes and Ava Korisianos.
“I have to give Tabby and Ava a shoutout. They’ve seen a bunch of styles of leadership throughout the years. They’ve been with me since seventh grade and the two of them just really want it,” Ault said. “The way they work on chemistry on and off the field — team bondings and pasta parties — to the intensity of practice. Half the time I come to practice, by the time I get there, they’re already ready to go. I don’t have to tell them to get going. They’re hungry this year.”
As for Fenwick, Mahoney praised midfielder Mia Millett and defender Bailey Chalmers for their performances.
“I just want them to bring the intensity to practice and improve our communication on the field,” Mahoney said.
St. Mary’s travels to face Manchester-Essex Thursday at 7:15 p.m. Fenwick visits Arlington Catholic Saturday at 10 a.m.
