Cyclones sputter

By Shane Mettlen

Published: October 1, 2008

The Eastern View defense played well as usual Wednesday night, but the Cyclones couldn’t take advantage of offensive opportunities and dropped a Battlefield District field hockey game to visiting Courtland.

The Cougars scored an early goal and that was all they needed to secure the 1-0 victory. Courtland improved to 8-3 and 5-1 in the district and handed the Cyclones their second district loss.

“When you have a zillion opportunities and can’t capitalize, that stinks,” EVHS coach Peggy Allen said. “It comes down to that. We had a zillion opportunities and could not capitalize. I would love to know what I can do. I’ve tried to put the challenge out every single day and it’s their turn to step up.”

Courtland got on the scoreboard with 25:54 left in the first half when Kathryn Teeple scored off an assist from Sarah McCoy. From there Eastern View (7-3-1, 3-2-1) controlled the ball for most of the first half, but couldn’t put the ball in the goal.

The Cyclones had the advantage of 10 penalty corners compared to three for the Cougars, but managed only six shots on goal, all of which were stopped by Courtland goalkeepers Amber Lee Taylor and Rachel Vincenes.

Courtland also had six shots on goal, but only needed the first.

“We’ve kind of been following Eastern View and knew they had had a very successful season so far,” Courtland coach Amy Taft said. “We knew what we were getting into today and I think mentally we were prepared for that kind of a matchup.”

The Cyclones were able to put pressure on the Courtland defense, but had trouble closing the deal from inside the 25-yard line.

“Their goalie had a couple of nice saves, but a majority of it was that we just killed ourselves,” Allen said. “We would get into the circle and make an elementary mistake.

We would turn, we would have our stick up, we would kick the ball. You just can’t do that at this level if you want to be successful.”

Eastern View returns to action Friday with another Battlefield District game at home against King George.

Shane Mettlen can be reached at 825-0771, ext. 127 or