Prior to their last game of the regular season, the family known as the Clinton varsity field hockey team shared some laughs and tears and cheers as the squad honored their seven seniors.
After a long 40-plus minutes that required extra time to decide their game vs. Mount Markham, there were again cheers and tears and laughs as the Warriors won their 14th game to tune up for another run to a sectional title. Finley Davignon scored off a perfect setup pass from Gianna Trunfio to decide the game with the only score of the contest.
All six playing seniors - Sydney Bialek, Laura Hughes, Ali Saunders, Jenna Cofano, Sadie Phillips and Madison Steates - mentioned how proud they were that the Warriors had reached the sectional final for three straight years. They and seventh senior team manager Malachi Ward hope to lead the team back and this time raise the banner.
In their 10th shutout with Bialek guarding goal, the Warriors looked to jump ahead early. Although she’s set scoring records in her own name, junior Trunfio shares the love and spent much of the game shaking off a double-team defense by the Mustangs and looking for open teammates as well as trying to score.
In the first half off a Mustangs clearing shot, Trunfio nabbed the ball in the air at midfield. She settled, took off and wacked it ahead to Davignon, who carried past the defender. The Mount Markham goalie made the stop on a kickout.
Katie Stockwell’s shot rolled wide with about 6 minutes to play. The Mustangs sent the action…