Kimball Union Falls To Deerfield Big Green, 9-1

Under beautiful spring skies and warm sunshine, but with storm clouds gathering in the west with a threat to bring ten inches of snow in the next 24 hours, Kimball Union battled a talented Big Green squad, ranked number two in New England, to a 1-0 score after one period of play before giving up four unanswered goals (two extra man) in the second to trail 5-0 at the half. Although realizing the magnitude of the challenge to come back from a five goal deficit, the Wildcats refused to give in, holding Deerfield to only two goals in the third with one being an extra man situation. With the game virtually out of reach at the start of the fourth, and fatigue beginning to set in, Kimball Union continued to play up to the challenge, yielding two goals and scoring one of their own with less than a minute to play. Co-captain Evan Roberts (West Cornwall, VT) combined with Matt Parker(Shelburne, VT) and Todd Rowley (Billerica, MA) to win five contests in the face off department while conceding nine victories to Deerfield. In the ground ball department Kimball Union played Deerfield almost even with 30 and 31 scoops respectively. Bryant College bound Robert Bleakley (Lexington, MA) had 17 saves on the day with several being spectacular at point blank range. Kimball Union cleared the ball effectively about 60% of the time with Bleakley throwing some great penetrating passes giving the Wildcats transition opportunities. The starting close defense of co-captain and Conn College bound Trevor McGraw (Meriden, NH), Brian Orr (Medford, MA) and Colin Young (Dedham, MA) played well under substantial pressure throughout the day. Garrett Dyer (Williston, MA) rotated in on a regular basis and turned in a solid performance in a supporting role. Andrew Richardson (Lancaster, MA) and Brent Bourgeois (New Haven, VT) were an effective duo with long sticks at midfield.

On the offensive end, Kimball Union attack men and offensive middies had to work very hard to find operating space under heavy defensive pressure. The hard work paid off as Evan Roberts was able to beat his man on a high dodge and hit David Robinson (Lexington, MA) breaking off the crease for a great look on the Deerfield doorstep. Later in the quarter Scott Schachter (Rumford, RI) beat his defender and was able to generate a quality shot that barely missed to the top right. In transition, Robinson found Ryan Hayes (Darien, CT) in front of the Deerfield net for the best look of the day. Unfortunately Deerfield’s Bucknell bound Sam Finnell came up huge to make the point blank save. Robinson finally found the twine with seconds left in the game get Kimball Union onto the scoreboard.

Looking to regroup tomorrow and Friday in practice, the Wildcats travel to Ashburnham, MA on Saturday for a game with Cushing Academy. The Penguins upset the Wildcats last year in overtime on Carver Field in Meriden. The action begins at 3:30.