Chelsea, MI. – The Chelsea Field Hockey team got off to a rough start to the 2018 season with undoubtedbly one of the toughest schedules any team must face. After falling to East Grand Rapids they were defeated by 5 time State Campions Ann Arbor Pioneer and the 4 time state champs, including 2017, Ann Arbor Huron. But the always determined team came out strong at home as they hosted Mercy.
Both teams played very well defensively in the first half with Chelsea controlling most of the play offensively in the Mercy end of the field. But the hard work and crisp passing on the fresh cut Chelsea grass paid off at 12:07 mark as Maddie Vogel dribbled the ball in and put the ball past Mercy’s goalkeeper for a big 1-0 lead.
In the second half it didn’t take Chelsea long to add to the lead as Nina Faupel took a pass across from Grace Lane and drilled it right side past the goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead only 6 minutes in. Mercy put a lot of pressure on late in the game but Chelsea did a great job defensively as Senior goalkeeper Payton Doan earned the shutout, stopping everything thrown her way. She had plenty of help from Senior sweeper Jordan Holton.
The Bulldogs earned 4 corners and Doan, who along with Coach Casey Fry were celebrating their birthdays, looked great in net for the Chelsea teams first victory on the season. Chelsea returns to action on Wednesday, September 5th as they look to add to their victory total hosting Detroit Country Day at 6 P.M. on the recently redone Chelsea football field.
