GREENFIELD — Packed bleachers, boisterous student sections and two teams scrapping and clawing for any type of scoring opportunity.
That was the scene at Greenfield High School, where the Frontier Regional field hockey team tied Greenfield 0-0 on Thursday night.
Given the intensity, it seemed like a playoff game, but both teams are winding down their respective regular seasons.
Frontier (12-1-3) has one loss on the season, and it was in the second game of the season against the Green Wave.
They lost that game 4-2 back in September and were still trying to find themselves. The Red Hawks also didn’t have Emma Wesoloski in that earlier game because she was injured, and her presence helped.
“We have grown as an entire team,” Frontier coach Missy Mahar said. “We have established a solid unit that works together. Emma is a dynamic player in the midfield.”
The playoff atmosphere of the game against Greenfield (13-0-3) will bode well for the Red Hawks going into the tournament.
“There is nothing more the girls could have done,” Mahar said. “This is the kind of game you want going into the postseason.”
The Red Hawks had a game plan of limiting scoring chances for Greenfield.
The plan worked, especially in the first half where Frontier dominated time of possession. Celia Speth and Camille Alli’s defensive presence helped limit Greenfield to four shots.
Frontier made Greenfield goalie Sam Smith make eight saves. McKenzie Patterson figured in on several of those chances for Frontier.
“It is satisfying to get a tie because it shows improvement,” Patterson said. “Throughout the season we have learned how to play with each other. Being on a team that has won Western Mass., I am very excited.”
Patterson connected with Ashley Borkowski for an opportunity right before the first half ended. After Patterson’s pass, Smith blocked Borkowski’s shot and it ended up at Borkowski’s feet, along with Smith who shielded any other attempts at the net.
Kimmie Asseng played in mostly one-on-one situations against Greenfield’s Raegan Hickey, who almost broke through on a couple occasions air-dribbling into Frontier’s scoring box.
The Red Hawks converged on Hickey as she closed in on the goal. Sklya Burniske made three saves for the Red Hawks.
Greenfield’s Audrey Bresciano had a shot go just wide off a penalty corner with about three minutes to play.
