‘It’s a real team’: Wave field hockey’s unreal 15-0 regular season born of humble stuff

Written by Steven Buono
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 21:31

Darien field hockey coach Mo Minicus had one thought in her head upon the close of the regular season.

“I think the girls are pretty amazing,” she said after Darien made it the first all-victory regular season in the sport for DHS with a 6-0 win at Staples today.

It was the 12th shutout of the year for the Wave (15-0) and senior goalie Aimee Rich.

Opponents have only found the twice-defending FCIAC and state class champions’ net four times in 2009.

Darien tied its first game at Norwalk in 2008, then won the rest, and in 2007 dropped three games during the regular season.

Both banner years twice over.

So, ‘amazing’ could qualify for an understatement here?

“Honestly,” Minicus added. “You know they worked so hard. Very coachable, and so far, they’ve had a great season.”

More uncharacteristic understatement from Mo.

And it’s understandable with a possible third set of linked trophies to find an exclamation for in the coming weeks.

“It’s such a great accomplishment, for the girls,” said Minicus. “It really is. And it’s pretty unbelievable. I told them on the bus — I said be proud of yourselves, enjoy it for a day or two. But don’t boast too much, because it could all be over on Friday.”

That’s when the FCIAC playoffs get underway.

This season began with mostly an understated crew except for Rich who has backstopped the Wave to each of its titles.

There are only several seniors on the team.

And two juniors, Sophie Doering, Ellie Riegel, both dangerous scorers, are becoming more so every game out.

But that tandem is not the dominant force for DHS, which did have such a thing for the last two years of titles.

This season, dominance is coming from all quarters though, and that is what is making the Wave such a sturdy top seed going into the FCIAC tournament, and states.

“The goal scoring is so spread out, it’s wonderful,” Minicus said. “It’s a real team.”

Unreal season.

“There are some solid players there,” Minicus said. “And then they are surrounded by just excellent teammates, and they support themselves, support each other.

“There’s not one selfish player out there.”

Anna Heck popped the first and winning goal for a 1-0 lead early at Westport.

“Gorgeous shot,” Minicus said. “She lifted it, and it was so strong.”

Heck, scoring her first of two, put it into the top left corner from the right side.

Sophie Watters also scored twice, and Sam Johnston and Ellie Riegel put one away apiece.

Sophie Doering, Riegel, Alex Bair and Lilly Cassidy each had an assist.

Rich made six saves.

Maddie Gill, whacked with the ball in Monday’s game vs. New Canaan missed today’s match, waiting for her front teeth to settle according to Minicus. They had been pushed ajar.

“I think she’ll be back for, if not Friday, then next week,” Minicus said.

It won’t happen Friday, but should Darien meet Greenwich in the playoffs it won’t be easy. Greenwich required the Wave take hammer and tongs to its cage in order to forge a slim 2-1 victory last week.

There was a reason for that.

“They have a phenomenal, phenomenal goalie — Brooke Cabrera,” said Minicus. “And she, in our game last Friday against them, I thought that our team played so well. Just really controlled the ball well.

“Brooke Cabrera kept them in the game.”

Darien teed-off on 20 corners and scored on none of them vs. the Cardinals.