In first-ever meeting, Bethel blanks Canton field hockey team

Canton’s Abby Charron. right, battles for control of the ball in Thursday’s non-league loss to Bethel. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

BETHEL, Sept. 15 – In the past two years, two teams have left the North Central Connecticut Conference for the Central Connecticut Conference. Avon left in 2015 and Enfield left in September after merging with Fermi High.

That has left quite a gap in the schedule for the Canton High field hockey team and other teams in the NCCC. Since each team played a home-and-away series every season, that is four additional games to find to fill the schedule. Canton has eight non-league games on their 16-game schedule.

Canton traveled to Bethel on Thursday to face the Wildcats for the first time in the program’s history. Bethel, which plays in the Southwest Conference, blanked the Warriors, 3-0 on Thursday.

Natalie Melvin, Danielle Canfield and Annika Haskett each individual goals for Bethel (2-0), while Melvin and Canfield each had assists. Bethel goalie Kallan Hook made four saves to earn the shutout. Canton keeper Jessica Szczepanski made eight saves in net.

Canton’s Jessica Rogowski gets low to defend in Thursday’s game at Bethel. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

Canton (0-2, 0-0 NCCC) returns to league next week traveling to Suffield on Tuesday for a 3:45 p.m. contest and hosting Stafford on Thursday at 4 p.m. in the first home game of the season.

Bethel 3, Canton 0
At Bethel
Canton (0-2)    0 0 — 0
Bethel (2-0)     1 2 — 3
Goals: Natalie Melvin, Danielle Canfield, Annika Haskett. Assists: Melvin, Canfield. Saves:  Jessica Szczepanski (C) 8; Kallan Hook (B) 4