The Warriors couldn’t find the net against Greenwich, falling short in the first round of the Class L tournament.

By Marlon Pitter

As penalty corners mounted for Greenwich, just one goal ended the Hall field hockey team’s season Wednesday night in West Hartford.

The Warriors fell to the Cardinals 1-0 in the first round of the Class L tournament, ending a promising season as the No. 2 seed.

Eleanor Ybarra scored the game-winning goal for Greenwich with 17:44 remaining in the second half. Greenwich earned eight penalty corners on the night, compared to just two for Hall, a key factor in the loss according to head coach Catherine Hanks.

“They just had way more offensive corners than we did,” Hanks said. “I think, after so many corners, it’s bound to happen. Something’s going to go in. … I think we were just hiding a little bit too much, not moving and utilizing our space out wide like we normally do.”

The Cardinals maintained offensive pressure for much of the first half, generating several scoring chances. The Warriors created opportunities of their own, but neither team found the net in the first 30 minutes.

Greenwich forged similar scoring opportunities early in the second half, battling for the ball in front of the net against Hall defenders.

The Warriors finish the season with a 15-2 record. Their only other loss was to Newtown, the top seed in Class L, on Sept. 13.

“It’s hard being the No. 2 seed,” Hanks said. “It’s hard playing teams in the FCIAC. They’re just a really, really strong conference. We’ve definitely built our program up to where we’re able to play at that level. 1-0 is huge, and it’s a learning opportunity for the program and for the years to come.”

Despite the early tournament loss, Hanks said the season was still in large part a success. Hall posted a second consecutive 15-win season and reclaimed the CCC North division title, accolades that show the program steadily improving.

While the team graduates 14 seniors, Hanks said the returning players and newcomers will be essential in building on the last two seasons.

“I think just continuing to develop who we are and fine-tune the small details so that we are able to compete with the teams from down south, it’s almost there. We’re getting there,” Hanks said. “But it’s the girls showing up, it’s the summer workouts, it’s the in-season workouts and just continuing to grow as a team.”

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