Class M-S Field Hockey: Newfound tops Winnisquam

BEDFORD – Cailey Newton and Abby Erler scored goals and Kelsey Dyer provided shutout goaltending to power Newfound of Bristol past Winnisquam of Tilton, 2-0, yesterday in the Class M-S championship game at Bedford High School.

Newton broke a scoreless tie, tipping home a close range shot at 26:50.

Erler put the game on ice, tallying unassisted with 5:51 left.

Dyer made seven of her eight saves in a first half that Winnisquam had a territorial edge.

Newfound finished 15-2. It was the Bears second successive title, and third in four years.

"I don't think anybody anticipated us to come back here this year, even to get to the final," Newfound coach Karri Peterson said. "Only returning one senior ... the girls came a long way throughout the year to prove themselves."

Peterson was especially happy with the way her team played after taking the lead.

"I was afraid because what we've gotten that little bit of cushion, and they have a tendency ... so I said 'don't play scared,'" Peterson said. "I said 'go out there and continue playing.' And that's what they did."

Fourth-ranked Winnisquam coach Len Lavin was frustrated that his squad didn't take advantage of a first half territorial edge that included nearly a dozen penalty corners.

"I don't think (Newfound's) goal upset me as much as we didn't convert," Lavin said. "And that's probably the best we've executed the corners all year, too."

Lavin lavished praise on his goalie, Molly Wilcox . The Bears backstopped made 12 saves, several of the spectacular variety.

"She was really on the ball," Lavin said. "I thought she played superbly.