Conard, which earned a home game in West Hartford, lost to Greenwich 3-1 in a CIAC Class L first round field hockey game on Wednesday.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Savannah Cote. Photos by Scott Sulkazi

Conard field hockey’s postseason run came to an end Wednesday with a 3-1 loss to Greenwich in the first round of the state playoffs. The Red Wolves found the back of the net in the third period, but the Cardinals’ three-goal performance proved too much to overcome as Greenwich advanced in the postseason.

Conard, which entered the post-season with an 11-5 record, earned the home game as a No. 8 seed, while Greenwich (9-7) was a No. 9 seed.

Greenwich opened the scoring in the first quarter when captain Anna Boezon found the back of the net on an unassisted goal at the 12:06 mark. Boezon’s goal gave the Cardinals an early 1-0 advantage and put Conard in a position of having to play from behind.

Following the opening goal, Conard looked for an opportunity to get back into the game. However, neither team managed to add to the scoreboard during the second quarter, allowing Greenwich to carry its one-goal advantage into halftime.

Greenwich extended its lead in the third quarter with two goals in a short span. At the 10:42 mark, Lucia Biagini scored off an assist from Julia Van de Rotte, extending the Cardinals’ advantage to 2-0.

The Cardinals continued to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. Just over a minute later, at 9:04, Van de Rotte scored an unassisted goal to make it 3-0. The back-to-back goals gave Greenwich a three-goal cushion and put additional pressure on the Red Wolves to respond.

Conard eventually found its answer in the third period. Isabelle Hathorn scored for the Red Wolves off an assist from Aine Kelly, getting Conard on the scoreboard and cutting Greenwich’s lead to 3-1.

The goal gave Conard an opportunity to build momentum and make a push back into the contest. Kelly’s assist helped set up the scoring play, while Hathorn provided the finish to give the Red Wolves some life.

Despite the response, Conard was unable to close the remaining two-goal gap. Greenwich maintained its advantage through the remainder of the contest to secure the 3-1 victory and bring the Red Wolves’ postseason run to a close.

For Conard, Hathorn finished with a goal, while Kelly recorded an assist. Greenwich was led offensively by Boezon, Biagini, and Van de Rotte, whose contributions accounted for all three of the Cardinals’ goals.

Although the result did not go Conard’s way, the Red Wolves continued to compete after falling behind and found a way onto the scoreboard in the third quarter. Greenwich ultimately came away with the victory, ending Conard’s playoff run with a 3-1 final. Greenwich will play at No. 1 seeded Darien on Friday.

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