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Showdown lives up to billing, ends in a draw

Saturday, October, 06 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

PLAISTOW, N.H. | There were no losers, but there were winners.

In fact, don't for a moment think that nothing was gained yesterday afternoon when unbeatens Salem and Timberlane battled to a 2-2 tie in one of the biggest regular-season showdowns in recent area memory.

| The 200 fans were treated to a tremendous back-and-forth field hockey game that showcased numerous college-bound players.

"That was a great game, I don't care what level you're talking about," said Timberlane coach Mim Ryan. "It was very intense, like a playoff game."

| Salem gained the satisfaction of surviving a late Timberlane assault despite being at less than full strength. | And Timberlane did exactly what Ryan was hoping for against the two-time defending Class L champions.

"From my perspective, I just wanted my kids to compete hard and be in the game all the way and we did that," said Ryan. In fact, the Owls (11-0-1) never trailed and they took the lead in the first half when Kaitlyn Lavallee scored on a penalty corner. That sparked Salem (11-0-1), however, and Carolyn Malloy quickly tied it up.

With 10 minutes left in the half, Salem standout Katie Bettencourt suffered a gash on her head and was sent to the sidelines, where she stayed until late in the second half. With the Blue Devils already missing Providence-bound Ashley Mulkey with an injury, that was indeed a blow.

"That definitely hurt," said Salem coach Carol Merchant. "Katie generates a lot of our attack and is really our spiritual leader."

Timberlane took a 2-1 lead with two minutes left in the half when Stephanie Glazier scored following a mad scramble in front of the Salem goal. The score remained that way until, with 10 minutes remaining, Malloy dribbled downfield, went around two Owls and scored her second goal on a brilliant individual effort. Both teams had chances during the rest of regulation and the 6-on-6 overtime, but Timberlane goalie Brittany McFarland-Bateman and Salem counterpoint Adrena Ghazarian made big stops. Ghazarian, in fact, came out of her goal to make a key save with 40 seconds left in overtime.

For Timberlane, Chelsea Sickel blanketed Malloy in overtime and Annie Hansbury was immense throughout the last part of the game. Sarah Cannon played a strong defensive game before moving to forward for overtime.

For Salem, in addition to the dangerous Malloy, Tatum Dyer stood out in the midfield and Bettencourt showed her grit when she returned with her head bandaged up. Michaela Galvin, on her 18th birthday, also had a superb game.

"I'm happy with the way we played because we weren't 100 percent and I expected a faster surface," said Malloy. Ryan was also pleased, but she added: "What happened today won't make any difference in the tournament."

And these teams should indeed meet again in the tournament.