West Hartford rivals Conard and Hall competed in a thrilling regular season finale on Wednesday night.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Paul Palmer. Photos by Paul Palmer and Craig Rosenberg

The state of field hockey in West Hartford is strong. Playing before a large, enthusiastic crowd at Hall’s McKee Stadium, the Titans and Red Wolves battled in one of the most exciting match-ups in memory with Conard coming away with the 2-1 win.

“We (both teams) put on a show for the crowd tonight,” is how Conard coach Sara Witmer described Wednesday’s matchup under the lights.

“Tonight’s game was a battle from start to finish,” said Hall head coach Ellie Tate. “I am proud of both teams.”

The game – the final of the regular season for both teams – looked like it was going to be competitive even before it began. Conard came in at 11-3-1 and ranked ninth in the state in Class L. The Titans and their 10-5 record were just two spots behind in the ratings. The Red Wolves had scored 55 goals in their 14 games entering Wednesday, while giving up just 16 and posting seven shutouts. Hall scored 41 goals in their 14 games while allowing 25 and carrying five clean sheets.

Following an opening period that featured some strong midfield play by both squads, but no strong chances on goal, junior Stella Milburn nearly got the Red Wolves on the scoreboard early in the second, but her shot went by the goal of Corinn Fabas.

Later, Conard would break the ice when Berkeley Hess was credited with the score off a corner. It came after a shot from Conard bounced off players in front and Hess was there to make it 1-0.

They kept up the pressure on the Hall goal with the defense fighting back hard to keep it a one-goal game. On two occasions senior defender Sophia LaPorta cleared balls off the goal line denying Conard a two-goal lead. Fabas stood tall as well and had one of her best saves when Hess came in on a breakaway, but the sophomore goalie managed to kick the ball away before Hess could get off a strong shot.

Hall would counter late in the first half when they had possession in the attacking zone for nearly two minutes, but would only manage to get a corner out of it. Conard did a good job of marking on defense, keeping the Titans players from the shooting lanes.

The first half would end at 1-0 in favor of Conard but both teams had put in strong efforts. Lucy Gwiazdoski of Hall and Freja Morris of Conard were dominant for their teams in the midfield area. Both were strong on defense, and help lead transitions and offense for them.

Stella Milburn nearly doubled Conard’s lead early in the third, but her shot hit a teammates foot, turning the ball over to Hall. Milburn would later play a big part in her team’s second goal. She started the play by making a big run down the left side before sending in the pass to Gigi Smith that Smith turned into the 2-0 lead.

Hall nearly answered when Erin Catalan hit teammate Katelyn Cykley with a great pass, but Conard goalie Isa Ripepi was quick off her line to challenge and make the save.

Conard’s backline of Fiona Campbell, Kelsey Collard, and Anna Quinn were playing a solid game in front of Ripepi, but Hall started to press the attack and would cut the lead in the fourth period. With 6:29 to play Ali Bracken would score on an assist from Gwiazdoski and it was back to a one-score contest.

The rest of the final period was much like the second and third as both sides worked hard, connecting passes, and making threatening runs on goal. The defenses for each team continued their strong play as well and Fabas was forced to make another great save – moving to her right and getting a pad and an arm on a shot to knock it out of play.

Despite their best efforts, Hall was unable to tie things up and Conard came away with the 2-1 win.

“This win does a lot for us,” said Witmer. “We should get the 9-seed in states and a 3-seed in the CCC Tournament.”

Conard’s Morris was one of the game’s top stars, dominating parts of the game on both offense and defense. “She is always consistent. Our message to Freja has been to have presence. Tonight was Freja at her greatest,” Witmer said.

The Titans won’t be in the CCC Tournament, but will also be in the Class L Tournament. “The leadership has come from our captains – Gwiazdoski and LaPorta. They have been rocks for us this season and we would not be where we are without them,” Tate said.

Overall, Tate is proud of where he team is right now. “We always tell them to be confident and composed, and tonight that showed. We looked good and I feel our defense has been looking strong.”

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