One Goal in Mind

1After a first half that featured the Masconomet Chieftains proving their worth as the team to beat in the Cape Ann League Large Division, the Newburyport Clippers rallied in the second to remain undefeated, notch a tie at 1-1, and dismiss any notion that they're about to roll over to anyone this fall.

This week for the Clippers has started out well, but with the North Andover Scarlet Knights (3-0-0) on Wednesday and the Amesbury Indians (1-2-0) on Friday, competing with fire will undoubtedly be a much needed requisite, but falling behind early should be avoided like a burning grizzly.

The first 30 minutes of the game was unabashedly one-sided.

Masconomet kept steady control of the ball with nice passing and a steady rush of aggressive midfielders, who denied the Clippers from rarely letting possession waver. The pace was defined by the Chieftains and it wasn't long before Masconomet was granted with a penalty corner and their first legitimate shot at scoring. The Clippers remained steadfast however, deterred the pass, and careened down field with a wave of red splashing at their heels.

The Clipper attack was just not enough in the first half. For every one Clipper, seemingly two Chieftains were there, dashing, blocking, and generally thwarting every Newburyport execution. But despite the maddening speed and collapsing defense of Masconomet, the Clippers stayed tenacious, and continued to pepper their way into the Chieftain striking circle — to no avail.

Masconomet, who continued to own the time of possession, suddenly began to inch themselves closer to a score. A frantic scrum in front of Newburyport's goal must have had Clipper goalie Haley Morris (6 saves) convulsing, but the defense remained tight and the neon orange ball was eventually sent skidding away. But minutes later, after a corner penalty that initially seemed fruitless, the Chieftains struck first when senior/captain Brittany Fraser found sophomore Pamela Herter who managed to sneak in the shot.

Shortly thereafter Clipper coach Lauren Hefferan called time-out to refocus her girls, but even after the huddle, the Chieftains set up camp in Newburyport territory and nearly capitalized on two consecutive penalty corners. The Clippers returned the favor moments later with a pair of glancing attempts, but Masconomet persevered and left the half unscathed and ahead, 1-0.

Whether or not the Chieftains had already figured themselves the victors, the Clipper resolve was just beginning and an invigorated squad returned to the field with a self-examining cheer of "Who wants it more?"

The last 30 minutes of play belonged to the Newburyport Clippers.

The Chieftains, who controlled the first several minutes of the second half with a rather content demeanor to just pass and burn clock, were suddenly mere shades of the team that so shortly ago were practically toasting hot-dogs and smores in the Clipper striking circle.

Newburyport, on the other hand, played with desperation; a team with one goal in mind.

The transition game awoke from its nap, tired legs were now side-stepping, and the passing that was absent was now early. The Clippers attacked relentlessly and narrowly missed a pair of screeching shots, and even when the Chieftains managed to attempt a corner penalty of their own, the Newburyport defense simply shut them down.

The teams swapped penalties for a bit before the Clippers stormed back into Masconomet territory and eventually gained a corner shot. The pass went awry, but nearly a minute elapsed when Newburyport found themselves in the same predicament, and managed to take full advantage.

With 2:53 left in the game, the Clippers tied the game at one apiece when sophomore Cassandra Davis found the back of the goal off an assist from senior/captain Tricia Grasso.

Even after the goal, Newburyport continued to push forward and nearly scored again, but in the waning moments, neither team was able to deliver the final blow, and the contest concluded as a draw.

During her three years as head coach, Hefferan has become well aware of what the Chieftains can offer.

"I knew Masco was going to be a good team because they're always strong, even if they did lose 11 or 12 players, they're always very well-rounded," said Hefferan, who explained that they lost to Masconomet in both games last year. "They're always one of our toughest competitors."

Comparing the halves was rather easy for Hefferan, because simply, the teams reversed roles.

"They were quicker in their passes, they had some nice drives, and then in the second half we pulled it together and played the type of game we should have been playing in the first," said Hefferan. "But they have a tough defense so once we were able to get through it, everything started to work.

"Once we got rolling and they realized that they could get the ball down there, the girls found the determination to continue, and they realized that they can get this back."

Captain Grasso and Taylor Purcell both knew what needed to be done, and as the game progressed, they explained that each Clipper felt a change in atmosphere.

"I think our intensity helped wear them down," explained Grasso, who is looking at schools like Bentley College and Northeastern University. "We've always been able to play stronger in the second half and I think we all realized that we needed to get the tie or the win to make the tournament. We all played for each other and gave it our all and that's what we need to continue to do."

Purcell was pleased with the win and how the team responded in the second half.

"I think that us stepping it up and just constantly pushing forward was key," stated Purcell. "Once we scored that goal and were down in the corner, we could tell that they were getting a little frazzled.

"At the beginning of the game we just didn't have that energy we got when we realized and decided that we all really wanted it. Everyone on the team wants to stay on this undefeated roll."

Newburyport High School

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