St. Thomas Aquinas field hockey delivered a decisive performance in the Division II quarterfinals, defeating No. 5 Plymouth 2-1 on Friday in Dover. The fourth-seeded Saints relied on a balanced offensive effort, with Riley Thomas recording both a goal and an assist to secure the victory. Coach Lindsay Dobecki highlighted the team’s resilience, noting that their ability to adapt throughout the season was the defining factor in this high-stakes matchup. “This team has worked so hard to get to this point and it showed today,” Dobecki stated, praising the collective effort that propelled the squad into the top four.
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The game featured a dramatic late finish, with St. Thomas taking the lead when Thomas opened the scoring with 3:41 remaining in the first quarter. Plymouth responded to tie the contest, but the Saints regained control in the final minutes of regulation. Leah Walsh struck the decisive blow with 3:26 left on the clock, silencing the Plymouth defense and sealing the win. The result advances STA to the semifinals, where they will face the top-seeded Souhegan on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Exeter High School, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
Beyond the STA victory, the Seacoast region saw significant movement in other Division II brackets. No. 2 Bow advanced to the semifinals with a dominant 5-0 shutout over No. 10 Oyster River, setting up a matchup against No. 3 Hanover. The STA coaching staff expressed optimism about the upcoming challenge, with Dobecki stating the team looks forward to “continuing to make improvements” against the league’s top seed. As the postseason intensifies, the Saints’ ability to execute under pressure will be critical in their quest for a deep run.
Source: Yahoo Sports
