CAPE ELIZABETH — It’s why they work endlessly ”“ ad tedium ”“ on those set plays.
Over and over and over.
Because someday, it might just pay off.
And for Wells, its penalty corner configuration did pay off.
Over and over and over.
The Warriors converted three corner opportunities to take a 3-1 win from highly regarded WMC rivals Cape Elizabeth, in a field hockey clash at Hannaford Field.
Senior midfielder Sabrina Link cashed in two of those chances, and had a hand in the third.
“We practice a lot on corners,” said Link. “We get into the rhythm of it. When everyone works together, that’s what you get.”
Said Wells coach Kristin Williams, “our corners worked great. It was actually a great win for us. They have a great team. I’m psyched to get out of here with a win.”
For a while, the Warriors seemed headed for a more disappointing exit.
The Capers (3-2) took a 1-0 lead 8:09 into the contest by running a successful corner conversion of their own.
“I feel at the beginning,” said Link, “that we weren’t playing as a team. But we all realized that after they got that goal, that ”˜we can’t win this individually.’ I think at that moment, we all decided to play as a team. To play together.”
Less than eight minutes later, Link knotted the score, 1-1, when she took Kaylar Masellas’ end line feed and swept her shot home.
“I just stopped the ball,” Link said. “I knew I needed to aim for the corner (of the goal). Like in practice.
“And I know that if my first shot doesn’t go in, that I have my whole team to count on to get the rebound, because everybody is going to the goal.”
Which is precisely what happened on Jenni Schmidt’s goal, which put the Warriors up 2-1 with 1:07 left in the half.
Link netted her second after Cape committed a foul as time in the half expired.
The corner was played out, and Link sent the Warriors into halftime with a two goal lead.
It proved to be more than enough.
“Sometimes in the second half, we let down,” said Williams. “I think this time, (we) actually played a complete half. That was good to see.”
Wells will hit the turf again, Wednesday, at Yarmouth.
— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.
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