By Marc Thaler
Editor

On its march to the Class M-S championship round, the Derryfield School of Manchester field hockey team illustrated how dominant defense can shut down high-octane offense.

Facing a goal-scoring machine in the Class M-S Final Four at West Memorial Field on Wednesday, Oct. 26, the third-ranked Cougars stymied No. 2 Mascoma, 1-0.

In the process, the locals advanced to their first championship contest in 18 years.

"Our defense has been our strength all season," DS head coach Lenny McCaigue said. "That was our 11th shutout this season and our goalkeeper, a senior co-captain (Concord's Sarah Umberger), is a key part of that."

Derryfield senior Diana Maldonado of Hooksett (right, No. 25) is the first Cougar to console her younger sister, sophomore Julia, moments after third-seeded DS dropped the Class M-S championship game against top-ranked and defending (See Semifinals, Page B-2) state champion Berlin on Sunday, Oct. 30. The Cougars played in their first title game since 1987. (Marc Thaler Photo)

Mascoma, entering the state semifinals at 12-2-0, scored at least six goals in five of its regular-season wins. Entering the Final Four, the Royals were winners of 12 straight, outscoring opponents, 46-7, during the streak.

"We just brought everything (we had to this match)," said DS sophomore midfielder Julia Maldonado of Hooksett. "It was a different mentality ... Usually, we strategize about the other team. But this time, we decided to focus on our game."

The Cougars capitalized on their speed and skill, McCaigue said, using a zone defense to keep Mascoma's key players in check.

Maldonado played a key role in stifling several scoring chances for the opposition, McCaigue added.

"She was able to step up and intercept (Mascoma passes)," he said. "Then, she was able to turn defense into attack right away for us."

From there, the Cougars used the turf - and crisp passes - to their advantage.

Locked in a scoreless tie, DS called a timeout with 15:04 remaining in regulation. Maldonado said her coach reminded the players to use the time wisely and focus on the fundamentals.

Less than four minutes later, the Cougars clawed their way to a 1-0 lead when senior Kayla Sirkin scored on a penalty-corner at the 11-minute mark, set up by Molly Lyford.

"(Lyford is) a senior co-captain and a starter for four years," the head coach said. "Even when she was a freshman she was a starter. She's a dynamo. She never says die. She's feisty. She just leads by example, in all aspects of her game. You always get 100 percent from Molly Lyford."

Despite maintaining a slim cushion, DS was far from comfortable.

"We just played like we were down. We always play like we're down," Maldonado said. "It takes away the thought that we're ahead, that we can slack off. If we make a mistake, we'll forget about it and keep pushing to get a goal."

Although an insurance tally would've calmed the head coach's nerves in the final minutes, McCaigue said recalling his trip to the school gymnasium earlier in the day helped keep him relaxed.

Looking up at Derryfield's championship banners, McCaigue noticed 1987 was the last time the Cougars competed for the state crown.

"That actually, as some of the seniors pointed out, was the year some of them were born," he said. "It was a good omen there, we thought."