Five Colorado teams battle for supremacy as season enters stretch run

The Colorado high school field hockey season enters the final two weeks of regular season play with five teams fighting for the top spot. Colorado Academy (8-3) is currently tops in points, followed by Cherry Creek (6-2-3), Palmer Ridge (6-0-2) and Kent Denver (6-1-2) in a tie, and Denver East (6-2-1) rounding out the top contenders.

This week has many matches that could cause big changes in the rankings. CA has the toughest schedule, having to play both Denver East and Cherry Creek. Palmer Ridge plays Kent Denver; the teams tied earlier in the season. At the same time, Palmer Ridge, Kent, and Denver East all have games against teams with losing records and each could easily increase their win totals.

By Mark Ozawa

Colorado Academy avenges earlier loss to Smoky Hill wih 3-1 victory

Three different sophomores for Colorado Academy scored as the Mustangs beat the Buffaloes from Smoky Hill 3-1 on Saturday at CA's Slater Field. The Mustangs (8-3) redeemed an early season loss to Smokey Hill (4-4-2). The Mustang defense continues to play with intensity, led by another tremendous effort in goal from junior Paige Maney. The Buffaloes scored first with a goal by junior Natalie Forersterf, but Sara Ozawa tied the score shortly after. In the second half, Jackie Murphy and Yasmin Gunberg added goals.

By Mark Ozawa

Ft. Collins rallies to edge Colorado Academy

The Ft. Collins Fire overcame a halftime deficit to beat the Colorado Academy Mustangs 2-1 on a cold and windy day at CA’s Slater Field. With the win on Thursday, Ft. Collins (5-4) avenged an early season loss to CA (7-3). Much of the game’s first half was played in the Ft. Collins side of the pitch. CA, however, was unable to score until sophomore Yasmin Gunberg scored with 21:17 expired in the first half. The Mustangs started the second half with more intensity, but the Fire defense continued to keep CA out of the goal. Sophomore Emma Sunness of the Fire scored with a little over 6 minutes left, with an assist from sophomore Maggie Mahwinney, and then took the lead for good with 3:36 left on a goal from junior Meghan Loury.

-- Mark Ozawa

New Canaan stays perfect in Connecticut

The New Canaan (Conn.) Rams’ field hockey team racked up yet another victory with a 4-1 rout of the Ridgefield Tigers Wednesday at Dunning Field. The Rams (4-0) scored twice late inn the first half and added two more in the second before the Tigers (4-2) scored a goal with less than three minutes remaining. Austin Ready (two), Alexandra Jonker and Caroline Falcone scored for New Canaan. Read more at NCAdvertiser.com.

Hopkinton stays unbeaten in Massachusetts

Hopkinton's undefeated field hockey squad scored three second-half goals in a 4-0 victory over archrival Ashland in Hopkinton, Mass. "I think we really connected well," said senior captain Keelin Bannon. "Before the game we set goals that we wanted to achieve and I think with this victory we went out and accomplished them.'' The match was close as the second half began with Hopkinton leading 1-0, following Mallory Bannon's goal seven minutes into the first half. Read more at Wicked Local.

Voorhees, Warren Hills battle in New Jersey

New Jersey field hockey rivals Voorhees and Warren Hills battled hard for 80 minutes, including two heart-stopping overtimes, but the end result was a 1-1 tie Thursday. Voorhees (7-1-1) denied Warren Hills (6-2-1) only its fourth victory in the series this decade. The game was extremely physical on both sides and players from each team left with injuries. Read more at NJ.com.

Washington Township wins rivalry game with Kingsway in New Jersey

Any game between the Washington Township and Kingsway high school field hockey teams in New Jersey has the makings of a conference championship. And Wednesday was no different, as the top-ranked Minutemaids of Township hit the road and upended the No. 5 Dragons, 2-0. Laura Rose and Maria Brasco scored for Township (4-1); the Dragons dropped to 5-3. See more photos and check out the story at NJ.com.

How does your high school team rank in your state? Nationally? Go to HockeyPower and find out.

Notre Dame Prep, Garrison Forest stage battle royale in Baltimore

As strong, cold winds whipped across the grass playing field at Notre Dame Prep in Baltimore on Wednesday, the No. 8 Blazers field hockey team did all it could to get the home team a victory. But No. 2 Garrison Forest refused to be an easy mark. Find out what happened when the game went into overtime at the Baltimore Sun.

Mainland (N.J) field hockey returns to winning ways

The Mainland (N.J) Regional High School field hockey team went through two uncharacteristic losing seasons, but this year the Mustangs are back on track for the playoffs. Jenn Eisenberg leads the Mustangs (4-1-1) with eight goals, while Kassie Barrett has four and Juliana Higginbotham (pictured) has three goals, including the game-winner in overtime against Holy Spirit. Jill Reganato is Mainland's new coach; the former all-around athlete at Mainland has been a field hockey assistant coach for the past two years. "They've been able to get some wins at the beginning of the season. That's given them more confidence. They know what they have to do to win." Read more at Press of Atlantic City.

Safford's 3 goals turn the trick for Shipley over Baldwin

Avery Safford scored all three goals as Shipley (Bryn Mawr, Pa.) beat host Baldwin, 3-2, Wednesday in a nonleague battle of field hockey unbeatens. Safford's third goal (all came in the first half) gave the Gators (7-0) a 3-0 lead, but the Bears (3-1-2) came roaring back to make it a game on goals by Brooke Simone and Nicole Wells. Read more at Philly.com.

How does your high school team rank in your state? Nationally? Go to HockeyPower and find out.