WEST SPRINGFIELD — Offense hasn’t been a problem all season for the Frontier Regional field hockey team.
In fact, the offense has been sublime for the Red Hawks.
But against West Springfield under the lights at Clark Field, the Red Hawks had to settle for a 0-0 tie Wednesday night.
“We generated opportunities,” Frontier coach Missy Mahar said. “We just couldn’t finish. I was pleased with how we played tonight. West Springfield is a great team.”
Most of the opportunities came from seniors Ashley Borkowski and McKenzie Patterson, who have formed one of the most explosive forward tandems in Western Massachusetts field hockey.
Borkowski has 10 goals and seven assists for the Red Hawks (10-1-1). Patterson has 14 goals and four assists.
“We have bonded this relationship because we have played together,” Patterson said. “I think that has really helped us connect. We know what each others styles are and what we do around the field.”
The unselfish nature of the duo keeps the offense flowing for the Red Hawks.
“We’ve been connecting on passes and talking,” Borkowski said. “We know how we play.”
Against the Terriers (5-1-5) , Borkowski had the best chance of the night when a long pass from Olivia Vecellio found her stick on the right side in the first half.
Borkowski’s attempt while blanketed by a West Springfield defender hit the side of the net.
“She was right on me,” Borkowski said. “It was hard to get a shot off.”
Patterson had a few surges up the field that drew penalty corners for the Red Hawks. With less than 10 minutes to play, there were several loose balls in front of West Springfield’s net, but the Red Hawks couldn’t drive one in.
“They (West Side) put a lot of pressure on us,” Patterson said. “They are a really good team.”
Frontier had nine total shots during the game. In net, eighth grader Skyla Burniske made three saves, including a play where she kicked a dangerous loose ball away from net at the end of the game with West Side threatening.
The Frontier defense did not give up many attempts against the Terriers. Nearly every ball that trickled through the midfield found senior defender Celia Speth’s stick.
“Celia is a very good player,” Mahar said. “She’s a senior defender. She’s the anchor and the driving force. She’s a leader on and off the field.”
Speth is surrounded by younger defenders like Abby Zeoli and midfielder Lauren MacDonald. Toward the end of the game, MacDonald poked away a potential breakaway for the Terriers.
