by Kristian Lundberg
Although field hockey may have suffered a setback Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Dedham, the fight to cure cancer certainly did not.
The Tigers fell to the Marauders 2-1, but both teams combined to raise hundreds of dollars for cancer research in the first Stick it to Cancer game, according to coach Celeste Myers.
“We raised around $700 to $800 for cancer research,” Myers said. “The kids did a great job given that they only had about a week to raise the money.”
Myers said the team raised money by selling t-shirts and wristbands.
“We sold almost all the t-shirts before the game,” she said. “The kids from both teams did a terrific job telling people about breast cancer and the effects of the disease.”
Myers added, “Breast cancer affects everyone, whether it affects your sisters, mothers or wives or whether you or someone else you know has the disease.”
In the actual game, the Marauders scored a couple of quick goals in the first half, and the Tigers found themselves trailing 2-0 heading into the break.
However, the Tigers came out roaring in the second half, controlling possession and pinning Dedham back into its own defensive half throughout the period.
After a series of intense pressure on the Dedham defense, senior Stephanie Vitone, a captain with seniors Alison Berkowitz and Danielle Wasson, managed to solve the Weymouth goalie, scoring to cut the Marauders’ lead to one goal.
Nevertheless, the Tigers could not come up with an equalizer in the final minutes, and Dedham escaped with a 2-1 win.
“We played really well in the second half,” Myers said. “We couldn’t finish our chances, so we were only able to come away with one goal.
“Overall, the kids definitely did a great job of spreading the message,” she added.
The Tigers, sitting at 5-4-1, need to finish at .500 or better to earn a spot in the State Tournament. With only five games left in the season, the squad will begin the final stretch tomorrow at Wellesley.
