ROCKPORT — The Camden Hills junior varsity and varsity field hockey teams hosted Hampden Academy during a homecoming week under the lights showdown Thursday, Sept. 27. 

The night cap marked the first time in Camden Hills field hockey program history the team has played a home contest under the lights. 

“The team was excited to have a home under the lights game, a first for our field hockey program,” said Camden Hills head coach Lindsey Clement. 

The junior varsity Windjammers fought to a 2-2 tie. 

Meanwhile, the varsity Windjammers were able to secure a 4-1 victory and improved its record to 2-6-1. 

The next varsity contest for Camden Hills will be Saturday, Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. when the Windjammers hit the road to challenge Skowhegan. 

In the varsity contest, Lulu Lydon scored two goals, courtesy assists from Ashlee McIntosh and Sophia Campbell. Greta Bishop also tallied two goals, both goals assisted by Lydon.

Camden Hills had seven penalty corners, while Hampden had 10. Camden Hills had 19 shots on goal compared to Hampden’s eight. 

In the goalie net, Vickie Balla had seven saves for the Windjammers while Taylor Guerette had 15 for Hampden. 

Comments from Clement

The team was excited to have a home under the lights game, a first for our field hockey program. Their excitement translated into intense play on the field, especially the first half. Camden got 13 shots on goal the first half, and six corners. While we controlled possession of the play, Hampden held strong with their individual skills.

Our midfield did a good job at tackling their speedy offense; their positioning and settled play has allowed them to gain possession and start our offensive transition. Capri Buck, Ani Reinwand, and Ashlee McIntosh have been working really well together these past couple of weeks to shut down breakaways.

Our offense was scrappy, and all five forwards were fighting hard to get past the defense. Most of our offensive play wasn't settled, but it disrupted Hampden's defense; they struggled to mark our players effectively, and Guerette worked hard to keep our offense at bay.

Kyla Taylor and Lexi Tinch did a great job on the left side of our field, working the ball down the sideline and crossing it to the cage.

Lulu Lydon and Greta Bishop were ready in the circle, firing shots and getting rebounds; their effort paid off as they each earned two goals (each scoring one per half). Lulu's grit kept the ball in the circle, while Greta was waiting in good position in front of the goalie; that earned Lulu both of Greta's assists.

Lexi Tinch and Meredith Luce also worked hard at the edge of the circle to keep the ball in play, both getting some quick shots on goal. Lexi has a great ability to outplay the offense with stickwork, and fire hard hits on the cage even under pressure. It was truly a team effort on offense, as they all contributed to our offensive pressure.

Last night was the first night we've been full strength in a couple of weeks; our senior defender, Mackenzie Power, was cleared from injury and back on the field.

Our team has worked hard to make adjustments on the field to offset her absence, but it was nice to move Sophia, Lexi, and Lulu all back to their normal positions.

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.