Field hockey: Frontier’s run ends with 2-1 loss to Dennis-Yarmouth in MIAA Division 4 final

BURLINGTON — A majestic run in the MIAA Division 4 state tournament came to an end for the Frontier Regional field hockey team on Saturday. The Redhawks lost to Dennis-Yarmouth, 2-1, in the championship game on the turf at Burlington High School.

Playing a game that was deadlocked into the fourth quarter, Frontier’s defense simply could not hold as the Dolphins scored the game-winner in the waning moments of the final frame. Alaina Manuel scored with two minutes, 18 seconds left in the game. It was Manuel’s second goal of the game. The second-seeded Dolphins possessed the ball for most of the game and drew nine penalty corners.

“I think their speed was the biggest difference,” Frontier coach Missy Mahar said. “At times they were faster than us. Like in anything, if you possess the ball longer, eventually you are going to come up with goals and score.”

The teams went into halftime scoreless. Frontier spent most of the first half playing defense against the speed of Dennis-Yarmouth’s midfield. Manuel scored early in the third quarter to give the Dolphins the lead.

The goal from the opposing team seemed to ignite Frontier, as the Redhawks immediately went on the offensive. Just a few minutes later, the Redhawks answered with a goal from Ashlie Galenski. The goal came when Addie Harrington pushed a shot near the goal, allowing Galenski to slide it into the corner of the goal.

All year, the Redhawks have responded to adversity.

“The team was special in that sense,” Mahar said. “They’ve been down in regular season games throughout the year by a goal and it never really deflated them. They always had a response. They should hold their heads high for that.

Quality chances from there were limited for Frontier.

“Looking at the game,” Mahar said. “They left it all on the field. There’s nothing more they could have done differently. D-Y is a great team.”

Galenski, Macy DeMaio, Kate Walker and Lauryn Kalinowski played their final game for program. The fifth-seeded Redhawks knocked off the top-seed in the tournament on their way to state championship.

“I think it’s impressive that we even got here to begin with,” Kalinowski said. “I think we should all be proud of ourselves. I’ve only been here for two years, and it’s been an amazing experience. I am so happy we got this far my senior year.”

It was Frontier’s first trip to the state championship game since 2004. Dennis-Yarmouth proved to be a tough matchup for the Redhawks.

“They beat us to the fifty-fifty balls,” DeMaio said. “They didn’t want it more. We wanted it. They were just the better team and came out on top. There’s nothing we can do about it. I thought we had a great run. We were the fifth seed. We put our heart out there.”

Harrington assisted on the goal for the Redhawks. Brooke Charest once again made several pivotal saves in big moments for Frontier. Charest finished with five saves.

The Redhawks will miss their senior class on and off the field.

“I will miss them,” Mahar said. “I’ve been nothing but proud of them this season. They’ve been wonderful role models. They’re skill sets will be missed on the field obviously moving forward. I am happy to have the chance and privilege to have coached them.”