The tests came early for the Waltham High field hockey team yesterday with injuries to two key players during a game played in the searing heat on the Harding Field turf. The good news is that the Hawks passed their first Dual County League exam with a 2-0 victory. The daunting news is that the tests will only get more difficult as they take on a very strong schedule with a varsity roster packed with new faces. ``I think there's a lot of new kids, a lot of gaps, but I think it's a nice game to start with and I'm glad we got a win out of it,'' said Waltham coach Denise Nugent. ``We had some nice passing patterns and then I saw some plays that weren't so nice.'' While the hesitation of inexperience led to exchanges that could have proved damaging against a stronger foe, there were many flashes from the young and athletic squad. Waltham scored both its goals in the first half as senior Shannon McGrattan scored from senior Dana Cenfotanti midway through the session and Centofanti made it 2-0 with 3:55 left in the half. While the Hawks didn't add to the lead in the second half, they did show some spirited play under the blazing late-afternoon sun on an 89-degree day. Their mettle was especially tested late when the 14-player team was reduced to 12 as Centofanti suffered a sore quad and calf, while senior Brianna Sorrentino - who had a very impressive stretch of steals and hustle early in the second half - came down very awkwardly on he ...
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The tests came early for the Waltham High field hockey team yesterday with injuries to two key players during a game played in the searing heat on the Harding Field turf. The good news is that the Hawks passed their first Dual County League exam with a 2-0 victory. The daunting news is that the tests will only get more difficult as they take on a very strong schedule with a varsity roster packed with new faces. ``I think there's a lot of new kids, a lot of gaps, but I think it's a nice game to start with and I'm glad we got a win out of it,'' said Waltham coach Denise Nugent. ``We had some nice passing patterns and then I saw some plays that weren't so nice.'' While the hesitation of inexperience led to exchanges that could have proved damaging against a stronger foe, there were many flashes from the young and athletic squad. Waltham scored both its goals in the first half as senior Shannon McGrattan scored from senior Dana Cenfotanti midway through the session and Centofanti made it 2-0 with 3:55 left in the half. While the Hawks didn't add to the lead in the second half, they did show some spirited play under the blazing late-afternoon sun on an 89-degree day. Their mettle was especially tested late when the 14-player team was reduced to 12 as Centofanti suffered a sore quad and calf, while senior Brianna Sorrentino - who had a very impressive stretch of steals and hustle early in the second half - came down very awkwardly on he ...