NORTHBOROUGH – There’s no place like home for the Algonquin Titans’ field hockey team.
After a 10-day stretch of away games – including contests at Acton-Boxborough, Leominster, and Hopkinton – the Titans returned home on Sept. 16 to face Mid-Wach-A rival Shrewsbury. While the team didn’t seem to mind the extra travel over the season’s first week, Algonquin embraced its return to familiar territory, defeating the Colonials 5-1 to keep its undefeated record intact.
“This is our first home game in a week and a half, so it’s kind of nice to be out here on this beautiful field, getting to play at home for the first time in many years. Today, it’s Shrewsbury, a Mid-Wach-A rival – we wanted to get out there. Bringing that momentum, the rivalry, and wanting to keep that win streak going really pushed us to find the gas today,” said Lindsey Brown, a Northwestern-committed Algonquin midfielder.
After a back-and-forth opening few minutes with several key saves from Shrewsbury goalie Aarika Singh, Algonquin ultimately broke through on a penalty stroke from Brown with two minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Minutes after the Colonials knotted the game at 1-1 to start the second quarter, Brown scored her second goal to put the Titans ahead 2-1. Algonquin did not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game.
“It’s been nice because almost our entire team is returning, so we’ve had two seasons to really figure out what works well for us. It’s really showing this year, I think, which is really awesome. We’ve had some new players who have really stepped it up,” Brown said.
Anna Bellville was solid as goalie for the Titans, and the team’s offense kept building on its lead. Taylor Mieth made the game 3-1 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter, and two goals from Annelise Gingrich in a four-minute span put Algonquin ahead 5-1 and secured the game.
For her efforts, Gingrich was awarded the “Spirit Stick,” a maroon-and-gold field hockey stick passed between players who embody hard work, strong communication, and other qualities. It’s a tradition that dates back to 2013.
“I think [the team] connect[s] on and off the field really well, so I think that helps us on the field,” said Gingrich.
With his team now 6-0, Head Coach Dan Welty said he’s proud of how the Titans have come together, bonding at practice and pasta parties.
“We just get better as the game goes on. We peak in the fourth quarter. We really read the other team and just made our adjustment. Everyone works well together up front. We knew we had to take quick shots up front and make those adjustments today, and those girls did that,” he said.