WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. - Hartford field hockey is headed back to the semifinals. The fourth-seeded Hurricanes beat fifth-seeded Spaulding 3-0 at home Thursday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the playoffs.
It was a familiar script. The same two teams met in the same round with the same seeds a year ago, and Hartford won that one 3-0 at home, too. Last fall’s run ended with a semifinal loss at Bellows Falls, and this group now gets its own shot at the final four.
The Hurricanes improve to 9-5-1, already two more wins than last season’s 7-7-2 team, while Spaulding finishes 7-7-1. Thursday was Hartford’s fifth shutout of the fall, joining wins over Rutland (3-0), Burr & Burton (1-0), Bellows Falls (1-0) and Brattleboro (1-0). Hartford has won four of its last five, including a 5-1 win over Fair Haven on Oct. 14.
This is a young team that has grown up fast. A year ago, then-freshmen Nora Comeau and Bella Lombardi and then-sophomore Amaya Argyros scored the goals in that quarterfinal win over Spaulding, and goalie Gracie Roberts made three saves. All four were back this fall on a roster built around sophomores and juniors.
Longtime coach Heather Scudder said before the season that last year “was a rebuilding year, which gave many young players an opportunity to gain game-time experience.” She added, “I am looking forward to seeing their growth as players, teammates and young ladies. As for how it will end up, well, that is an unfolding mystery. So stay tuned and GO CANES!”
The mystery gets tougher next week. Top-seeded U-32 is waiting in the semifinals, and U-32 beat Hartford 5-0 on Sept. 1, the second game of the season. The Hurricanes have won nine of 13 games since that night.
It is a busy stretch for Hartford athletics, too. Football hosts Fair Haven on Friday night, and girls volleyball hosts Montpelier in a quarterfinal on Saturday afternoon.
Hartford field hockey is next against top-seeded U-32 in the semifinals on Wednesday, October 28, or Thursday, October 29.
Other relevant play on Thursday, October 22:
Otter Valley (6-7-2) 2 at North Country (9-4-1) 1 Sophie Parker scored both goals for sixth-seeded Otter Valley, which pulled the upset and moves on to face Bellows Falls in the other semifinal.
That wraps up the day for Hartford High School sports. We’ll see you next time!