Canton field hockey preparing for next week’s state tournament

Canton’s Kaelyn Oliver, left, and Emma Charron look to control the ball in Friday’s loss to Haddam-Killingworth in Higgnaum. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

CANTON – It’s been a while but the Canton High field hockey team is preparing for its second straight appearance in the CIAC Class S tournament.

The Warriors finished the 2015 campaign with an 8-5-2 record after dropping a 4-0 decision to Haddam-Killingworth last Friday. Brinley Anderson scored three goals and had an assist for the Cougars (14-2), the likely No. 3 seed in the Class S tournament.

Canton had 10 penalty corners and seven shots on goal but couldn’t convert.

But the Warriors are looking to get back on the winning track in next week’s state tournament. The last time that Canton made back-to-back appearances in the Class S tournament was 2007 and 2008.

Canton’s Erica Nedderman works to control the ball against the Cougars. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

The official CIAC pairings will be released on Friday. Canton will likely be the No. 12 seed and will probably face No. 4 Stonington (12-1-3) on the road on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2 p.m. If the Warriors can pull off the upset, they would advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday, Nov. 12.

Junior striker Grace Giancola leads the Warriors with a team-high 13 goals on the year. Erica Nedderman has scored five while Emma Charron has added three. Canton will likely need some help for Giancola, who will undoubtly be the center of attention by the opposition defense.

Canton goalie Natalie Nardello has had three shutouts this year. She’ll need the help of teammates to hold off a Bear team that has won seven straight Eastern Connecticut Conference titles and 29 of the last 31 ECC crowns.

Stonington’s only loss this year came in a 1-0 defeat to Avon on Oct. 24 in Avon. The Falcons scored on a penalty stroke from leading scorer Hannah Deppe (7 goals) with 21:32 left in the game.

Haddam Killingworth 4, Canton 0
At Higgnaum
HK (14-2)             2  2  — 4
Canton (8-5-2)     0  0  — 0
Goals: Brinley Anderson (H) 3, Celia Payfa (H); Assists: Bella Consenza 2, Katie Hausherr, Julie Hausherr; Penalty corners: HK 13-10; Shots: HK 10-7; Saves: Natalie Nardello (C) 6.