CIAC: Field Hockey Wins in Double Overtime Thriller

The Blue Wave had played Wilton twice this season before Thursday's quarter final CIAC match, winning both quite easily at 3—0; but neither game could foreshadow their third meeting with the Warriors, where neither team was able to score in regulation time or the overtime period. Finally, in the second overtime, Darien got the winning goal, and with it, a sigh of relief from players, coaches and fans.

Wilton came out with a game plan "that frazzled us for a while," said Wave coach Mo Minicus. The Warriors pressured the ball from the start in what Warrior Coach Deirdre Hynes described as "hoping to take away their passing game which is their strength." Wilton did a good job of it with Amy Drummond and Allison Rutishauser setting the tone.

If the game were a boxing match, Darien would have won the first half on points; but this was field hockey, and the only points would come on goals. Darien had two quality opportunities. The first came on a loose ball in front of the Wilton cage where the ball "died" about an inch from the goal. And the second on what Minicus thought was "a goal for sure" but was called back when the referee ruled it was scored with a high stick that was over the shooter's head. 

Wilton did a good job in changing defenses.

"We went from a 4—2—4 to a 5—2—3, and it helped generate more offense as well as throw them off their rhythm," said Hynes.

In the first half, Darien had 11 shots-on-goal and seven penalty corners, to one and one for Wilton. But in the only stat that matters, it was 0—0 on the scoreboard.

In the second half, it was more of the same. Wilton continued to pressure the ball, keeping Darien at bay with well executed block tackles. Darien, again, played most of the half in Wilton's half of the field, but once again, neither team could score. For the first time this season, Darien didn't win in regulation time.

Final stats: Darien had 17 shots-on-goal to two for Wilton, and where Darien had 12 penalty corners, Wilton had one.

In overtime, the teams play a seven against seven, 10 minute period sudden death. Darien had a golden opportunity to score when Leslie Gill stick handled past the last Wilton defender on a breakaway, but on an attempted pass to the wing, the Wave lost possession. Wilton came right back with a chance of their own, but they couldn't convert either. It was still scoreless after one overtime.

In the second overtime, two-and-a-half minutes in, Ellie Riegal found a loose ball near her stick in front of the goal. Riegal didn't waste any time and poked it in for the 1—0 double overtime win.

"I wasn't aiming for any spot, just for anywhere in the goal," said Riegal.

That was all she and her teammates needed, as they raced onto the field while the Darien coaching staff finally exhaled.

The Wilton team gave a superb effort in a game they weren't supposed to win—they almost did.

The undefeated Blue Wave (17—0—0) advances to the CIAC semifinals round. They'll play Daniel Hand (15—2—1) next Tuesday at a site yet determined.