The Tiverton field hockey team lost to South Kingstown, 1-0, in the D-II Semifinals at Curtis Corner Middle School on Tuesday night. The Tigers ended their season with a 3-2-1 record. South Kingstown senior Paige Sayour scored the only goal of the game with 6:04 left to play. The midfielder swiped at the ball in the middle of a scrum in front of the goal and it slid past Tigers goalkeeper Pauline Helger (8 saves). The speedy Tigers had a difficult time with South Kingstown’s stifling defense and couldn’t muster a scoring drive to even the score. “It was a missed opportunity to get the ball out by our defense and they capitalized on it,” Tigers head coach Lauren Tavares said of the Rebels goal. “I think this is the best game that we’ve played all year. The girls played absolutely phenomenal. It was a one goal difference. The team fought so hard and I’m proud of them.”

Game notes

South Kingstown’s smothering defense gave the Tigers fits from the start. Coach Tavares tried switching her wingers around, but nothing worked. “No matter how we flipped our field, they flipped with us,” coach Tavares said. “There defense is the best that we have seen all year. They are in first place for a reason.” Tiverton was also constantly whistled for infractions and had a difficult time, tripping and losing their footing on the Rebels thickly cut grass and sloped field. “I have my thoughts on those refs, that I’m going to keep to myself,” coach Tavares quipped.

Defense played well

Coach Tavares credited her defense with a fine game. “This is the best game that they’ve played. irregardless of the goal being scored. They have finally connected and have been on he same level,” she said. “Pauline (Tiger’s goalkeeper) played phenomenal,” said coach Tavares. The score could have been higher, but it’s not because of Pauline.” “Every single girl on the team gave 1000 percent. They will be crawling back to the bus, because they have no energy left in the tank.”

“I’m excited that we were able to go so far this season,” coach Tavares said of her team that moved up from D-III to D-II this season. “It was a really awesome accomplishment for this team.”

Looking ahead

The Tigers only graduate four seniors in the spring, center forward Lindsey Riemels, center halfback Angelin Santerre, fullback Emma Beaudoin and Michaela Downey who was injured. “It will be tough to replace those girls. They were great leaders. They just love the sport and the girls loved playing with them.” Still many of the underclassmen received a good share of playoff experience this season. “I think the underclassmen will be ready to go next season,” coach Tavares said. “The junior and sophomore classes that I have are ferocious. They are eager to learn, work hard and play. If they could start next week they would.”

More field hockey:

Tigers shut out St. Mary Academy, 2-0

The Tiverton field hockey team beat St. Mary Academy, 2-0, in East Providence during the regular season. The win boosted their record to 3-0-1 in Division II, 4-1-1 overall. After losing the Division III championship in triple overtime last year, the Tigers are raking in D-II, in hopes of a deep playoff run. Head coach Lauren Tavares has led the last three years, making the playoffs her first year, winning the D-III championship in 2018 and runner up in 2019. “I’m hoping that we have playoffs,” coach Tavares said. “I haven’t heard anything yet. I think that we will make a strong bid if we continue to play as a team and progress forward. The team has potential if we can just stay healthy.”

Game action

Co-captain center-forward Lindsey Rieimels put the Tigers on the board sending a rebound past Bengals goalkeeper, Kayley Thibadeau amidst a scrum, to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the first half. “This is her year to shine,” coach Tavares said. She’s finding the net. she’s our captain and is a true leader on the field.” Grace Peckham assisted on the play that started from a corner, taking a shot from the center of the box. Rieimels found the rebound and sent it into the back of the goal.

Second half

In the second half, The Tigers took advantage of a corner again. Junior Molly Morash slid a shot from the right side of the goal, by Thibadeau who ran out of the net to meet her. Peckham again assisted on the play. “That was Molly’s first goal of her career,” said coach Tavares, “She was very excited.”

Goalkeers shine

Tigers goalkeepers, sophomore Casey Michaels and Junior Pauline Helger helped to keep the Bengals scoreless, each playing a half. “My goalies played great,” said coach Tavares. “They are both new to the varsity level and they are playing phenomenal.” Michaels was the JV keeper last year and Helger missed the 2019 season with an injury. A big help to the Tigers defense is co-captain center defender Angelin Santerre. “She’s always in the right spot at the right time,” said coach Tavares. “She’s a vocal leader and never gives up.”

“I’m proud of the team and I’m happy that we’ve been able to play,” said coach Tavares. “We take it day by day and make sure we are ready for each team, and make sure we have a game next week, because we never know.”