In the 2022 season, the Kits fell in the first round of field hockey playoffs. This Tuesday, a resounding shutout in sectional semifinals advanced the team past last year’s benchmark.
Senior co-captain Makayla Clark’s shots rocketed past Deerfield’s defense and goalkeeper six times on Oct. 18 to clinch a 8-0 win for the Kits. Evanston finished four of over nine corner attempts, showcasing Clark’s power and the team’s cohesion.
“In the second half, our shooting was on-cage,” head coach Annie Lesch says. “The first half, we had a lot of opportunities, but we tightened up our marking in the second half. That was good to contain [Deerfield] and keep the ball on our side.”
A goal by Clark put the Kits ahead 1-0 in the first quarter. A flawlessly finished corner by junior Bridget Durkin and buzzer-beating slapshot by Clark in the second widened their lead going into halftime.
The Kits came out swinging in the second half, dominating possession and firing relentlessly into Deerfield’s territory. After a penalty corner goal by Clark, sophomore Sasha Hammond completed another off an assist by senior co-captain GG Hogan. Hogan earned her own score six minutes later, and Clark landed another with just 40 seconds left in the quarter.
With a dominating 7-0 lead, the Kits utilized the fourth quarter to bring players off the bench and hunker down, keeping play far from Evanston keeper Bridget Lesch. A backhanded shot by Clark ricocheted off the post for her final goal of the night before she was substituted with two minutes of play left on the clock.
As well as a standout performance by Clark, the offensive line of Hogan, Hammond and Durkin exhibited speed and control throughout the game. Durkin’s pace and Hogan’s intensity generated devastating blows to the Warriors’ defense.
The game, a repeat of ETHS’ 8-0 win against Deerfield on Sept. 9, propels the Kits onward through playoffs. Evanston was seeded 5th due to their 11-5-1 record, both marks the best in program history.
Evanston takes on Loyola at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20 at Loyola Academy’s Theodore G. Munz athletic complex for the sectional final. The teams last played Sept. 20, when the Ramblers scraped by with a 1-0 win.
Lesch has high hopes for the rematch.
“It’s going to be a battle,” Lesch says. “But we’ve been putting a few things in place to get ready, and we’re excited to execute them.”
