Rivals play to draw in field hockey matchup

Late goal helps Hammonton earn a tie with St. Joseph

HAMMONTON—A typically tight contest between crosstown rivals Hammonton and St. Joseph ended in a 2-2 draw on October 4 as two of the Cape Atlantic League’s (CAL) best field hockey teams clashed for the second time this season.

Hammonton won the rival’s first matchup 3-0 on September 16, but last week’s rematch was much closer as each team pressured the other’s defense and both goalies were peppered with hard shots.

“That was a really well-played game on both sides. It wasn’t like it was like a weird, lopsided game,” Hammonton coach Kristen Silvesti said. Neither team was satisfied with the draw, but both were pleased to not walk away defeated.

“We definitely would have liked [a win]. Both of us would have liked to see a winner, but a tie isn’t a loss,” St. Joseph coach Corinne Veight said.

Stella Devlin gave St. Joe a 1-0 lead early in the first quarter, and the Wildcats continued to put pressure on Hammonton goalie Kelley Crescenzo throughout the first quarter.

“It helped us jumping on them early. They usually do that to us; they’re used to getting the first goal and then we kind of deflate,” Veight said.

In the second quarter, Emma Longo scored for Hammonton to tie the game at the half, but early in the fourth quarter, Devlin notched her second goal of the game to put the Wildcats back in front 2-1.

Both teams were tentative at times, and the coaches blamed the rivalry.

“Both teams, I always feel like they play tighter than they should in this game. Yep. You know it’s going to be like a one score game when we play Hammonton and it’s going to be tight,” Veight said.

Silvesti agreed.

“We always seem to be off our game a little when we play them [St. Joseph]. I think the whole rivalry thing sometimes gets in their heads a little,” she said.

With regulation time winding down, Gabriella Teti was able to slip a shot past St. Joseph goalie Katie Canova to tie the game and send into overtime where neither team scored.

The tie helped St. Joseph, which is fighting for a berth in the CAL playoffs.

“It definitely helps us. Our division is just so tough. We play games like this every day; there are no easy ones,” Veight said.

For Hammonton, the tie could impact the Blue Devils seeding in the CAL playoffs.

“Now we’re only up a game [in the division]. So that’s how I look at it. It has implications for us, that’s exactly how I look at it more than anything else,” Silvesti said.

As for the tie, the coaches had mixed feelings. Veight was pleased her team played well against a strong opponent and said her team will look to build on its success while Silvesti lamented missed opportunities in the game and hoped her team would improve itself.

Dan Russoman/THG. Hammonton’s Jenna Vivadelli (3) reches to knock the ball away from St. Joseph’s Emmah Devlin (14) during last week’s game.

“It’s good for our girls. I’m sure it’s agood for them to face a team like [Hammonton]. And then, all right, back to the drawing board. Why didn’t we win? What do we have to fix? And then that’s fun to implement into the next game,” Veight said.

Silvesti felt Hammonton could have won the game.

“I think both teams played a really good game today. We just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. That’s been our weakness I think the last two weeks. All of a sudden, we’re taking over 20 shots a game and just not putting the ball in the back of the net,” she said.

Despite not notching a victory, Veight was happy with the game.

“Two strong teams, some good competition, good programs and that’s the best type of hockey. That’s the games that you want to see. They’re exciting. And that’s what makes coaching fun when you’re in these types of games,” she said.