Bernardians battle, but fall short

FITCHBURG » Welcome back, field hockey.

It’s been a long offseason for fans of the sport but on Monday afternoon, the St. Bernard’s field hockey team kicked off its 2020 season.

To open, the Bernardians welcomed Clinton High to the Activity Center complex in Fitchburg.

Despite a solid effort from the hosts, the visitors headed home with a 4-3 victory.

It was a satisfying result for the Gaels and head coach Angela Kaizer.

“I thought it was a game between two evenly-matched teams,” said Kaizer after the game. “The girls stepped up and played really well for us today.”

On the other sideline, St. Bernard’s head coach Olivia Arciprete and her squad were playing the contest shorthanded without junior captain Kate Boissoneau. Despite a depleted lineup, Arciprete was pleased with what she saw from her young squad.

“There were a lot of bright spots, there definitely were,” Arciprete said. “We have a team with a lot of freshmen and I think a game like this goes a long way towards building their confidence, for not only the younger players but the older ones, too.”

With the game deadlocked at 2 entering the fourth quarter, Clinton ( 1- 0) potted a pair of goals off the stick of Alana Hoag. The Gaels captain finished the game with a hat trick for the guests.

Offensively, St. Bernard’s ( 0-1) had several players stand out and turn in solid performances. Rhiannon Young, Lydia Garneau and Mia Dondero led an attack that peppered Clinton goalie Kaela Ciarelletta with 15 shots on net. At the other end of the field, Bernardians goalie Gianna Bingham was strong in the cage as she made nine saves for the hosts.

“I have girls who could play in college and I have girls who have never picked up a stick. It’s that kind of mix,” said Arciprete. “There really wasn’t anything to complain about. The girls worked really hard.”

Following a scoreless first quarter, the two squads traded goals in the second frame.