A cohesive unit can be a ferocious force.
The Leaside Lancers (3-0) showed spectacular team chemistry en route to a 4-0 dismantling of Lawrence Park Collegiate on Wednesday afternoon in Tier One field hockey action.
Midfielder Kristen Lee scored two goals and co-captain Maddie Stock notched one goal and added two helpers in the victory.
With only two new players on the roster from last season, familiarity was a huge factor in the team’s success.
“Most of our players played with each other last year so we know what everyone’s weaknesses are,” said Stock. “We also know each other’s skill sets.
“We work really well together, playing to our strengths.”
One of the Lancers’ best attributes from the game was their ability to stickhandle, and it showed on the opening goal of the match.
Stock displayed excellent control of her stick and streaked down the right side of the field, eluded a defender and unselfishly centred the ball in front of the goal.
Teammate Fiona Logue was there on the receiving end of the great pass and made no mistake, tapping it in for an early 1-0 advantage.
Leaside kept up its relentless attack throughout the first half, forcing some Lawrence Park mistakes.
The co-captains combined on a penalty corner that Lee belted into the top corner for a 2-0 lead, building off her Toronto Star athlete of the week award.
“We had some really good penalty corners coming out,” said the 17-year-old. “So I had some really good opportunities from some passes from Maddie Stock, so it was really good teamwork.”
Lee and Stock were the offensive catalysts, as the former stepped into a shot from the slot and slammed her second goal of the match, giving her team an insurmountable 3-0 advantage.
The relentless attacking pressure by the Lancers was more intense than a normal match as Lawrence Park couldn’t muster much of a counterattack.
“We really focused on going down the right side,” said head coach Sara Jones. “But we should probably switch it over and do that a bit on the left because…switching the play more often would be a good idea.”
Despite the coach’s desire for the element of surprise, her squad seemed unfazed and stuck to the game plan in the second half after Lee was subbed off.
Stock took a pass from a teammate down the right side and snipped her first goal of the match, sealing the deal with Leaside’s fourth goal.
Even though her team was unable to provide much offence, Lawrence Park goaltender Brynna Kerr was solid in net, including a highlight reel glove stop on a shot by Stock.
But her team was unable to use the momentum to its advantage as the little pressure it generated was stymied by Leaside goaltender Lindsey Allen, who registered the shutout in her second start of the season.