Southwick’s Emily Martin takes aim at the Pioneer Valley Regional net Saturday morning. (Photo by Chris Putz)
SOUTHWICK – Homecoming weekend … playoffs on the line … and a milestone memory.
Emily Martin recorded a hat trick, and in doing so scored her 100th career goal as the Southwick Rams field hockey team punched their tournament ticket with a 5-0 shutout of Pioneer Valley Regional early Saturday.
Teammates swarm Southwick’s Emily Martin, left, after Martin scored the 100th point for the Rams Saturday morning against Pioneer Valley Regional. (Photo by Chris Putz)
“I’m just so excited to continue playing with my team,” Martin said. “I couldn’t have done it without all of them supporting me, and my coach, and my parents and all my family and friends helping me through it.”
Martin’s milestone moment came on her first score in the eighth minute. The play was set up by Alex Grimaldi and Avey Glynn.
“I got a pass … and then I kind of tried to pull around the goalie and then get it into the back of the net,” Martin said. “I think our adrenaline just rushed up even higher than it was to begin with.”
Three minutes later, Martin scored her second goal. She added a third for good measure in the opening minutes of the second half.
Alex Grimaldi scored twice in the second half. Devan Fox and Marissa Ouelette each logged an assist.
Goalie Clare Stratton (6 saves) earned a shutout for Southwick (9-5-1).
“The girls worked really hard,” said Southwick field hockey head coach Jenn Oakland, whose team was playing its third game of the week. “Today the girls came out, wanted to score a lot of goals and we really wanted to get that hundredth point today with homecoming and everything, and we really wanted to qualify for tournament.”
Oakland said one of the keys to Southwick’s victory was sending the ball wide.
“That really helps spread the field and just really showcases how these girls can play,” Oakland said.
The Southwick Rams field hockey team celebrate Emily Martin’s 100th point Saturday morning. (Photo by Chris Putz)
