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Farmington rallies to beat Canton despite three goals from Giancola

Canton's Laura DiMartino (27) tries to slow down Farmington's Claire Meehan (2) in Thursday night's contest under the lights at the turf field in Canton.

Canton’s Laura DiMartino (27) tries to slow down Farmington’s Claire Meehan (2) in Thursday night’s contest under the lights at the turf field in Canton.

CANTON, Oct. 13 – The Farmington High field hockey team has struggled to score goals in the past two weeks. They scored just two goals in the four games coming into Thursday night’s game under the lights with Canton.

It didn’t look much better at halftime with Canton holding a two-goal lead. But the Indians scored four goals in the second half and Dana Thiesfeldt scored her second goal with 3:15 remaining to lift Farmington to a 4-3 non-league victory at the turf field.

Canton’s Grace Giancola scored three goals – the fifth time this season that the senior has scored three or more goals in a game.

“We needed this real bad,” Farmington co-coach Kat Wallenburg said. “We’ve had a few rough games and haven’t been able to score. This is what we needed. I’m just so happy for them.”

Canton led 2-0 at halftime before the Indians scored two goals in a minute and 23 seconds to tie the game at 2-2 with 23:36 left in the second half. Giancola weaved her way through the Farmington defense, carrying the ball for nearly 60 yards to put Canton back on top with a goal with 15:20 left in the contest.

But Farmington came right back, scoring on Clare Meehan’s goal 59 seconds later to tie the game at 3-3.

Canton's Grace Giancola (9) and Farmington's Mia Flynn (9) chase down the ball in Thursday's game in Canton.

Canton’s Grace Giancola (9) and Farmington’s Mia Flynn (9) chase down the ball in Thursday’s game in Canton.

Farmington (6-5) made a few adjustments at halftime that helped them in the second half. The Indians moved midfielder Rachell Powell back to defense where she made a few stops on Giancola drives into the heart of the defense.

“(Giancola) is really fast and talented,” Farmington co-coach Emma Tuthill said. “She is really fast, talented and has good stickwork. So, we had to play tight defense on her and make sure they didn’t get as many opportunities.”

Offensively, the Indians moved Steph Austin up front for an additional forward. Austin had an assist on Leia Ficks goal with 23:36 left that tied the game at 2-2. “It was a matter of having that (extra) forward up there,” Wallenburg said. “That extra spark made the difference.”

Canton (4-6-0-1) came into the game on the strength of a dominating 7-1 victory over Southington on Monday.

“I thought it was a well played, hard fought game,” Canton coach Margaret Bristol said. “I thought we played really well. We had a great win this week and two great practices. They carried that momentum onto the field tonight. I’m proud of them.”

Giancola, who has scored a team-leading 23 goals in 11 games, gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead with 15:02 gone in the first half. Giancola made it 2-0 with 4:33 remaining in the first half, scoring off an assist from Elizabeth Raynor. Giancola is just the sixth girl in school history with 23 or more goals in a single season.

Canton goalie Maggie Coleman had eight saves in net for the Warriors. Canton returns to action on Tuesday when they host Suffield on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. at home.

The game kicked off Spirit Week contests under the lights in Canton on the turf field. The Canton Booster Club is picking up the cost of the portable lights that surround the field. The Canton football team hosts Ellington Friday night and the boys and girls soccer teams host a doubleheader on Saturday night.

Farmington’s last four games were against challenging competition. The Indians beat Northwest Catholic, 1-0 last Thursday. But in the last two weeks, Farmington fell to No. 7 Granby, 4-1, No. 5 Enfield, 8-0 and No. 2 Glastonbury, 5-0. All three teams are undefeated.

Farmington returns to action on Friday when they host E.O. Smith.

NOTES — The win was Farmington’s third straight over the Warriors in a series that began in 1972. … This was the first game between the two schools since 2010. … Canton’s last win in the series was a 1-0 win in 2006. … Farmington’s four goals was the most in the series against the Warriors since the Indians scored five in a 5-1 victory in 1983.

Farmington 4, Canton 3
At Canton
Farmington (6-5)              0  4 – 4
Canton (4-6-0-1)              2  1 – 3
Goals: Dana Thiesfeldt (F) 2, Leia Ficks (F), Clare Meehan (F), Grace Giancola (C) 3; Assists: Steph Austin (F), Elizabeth Raynor (C); Saves: Tristian Stoneman (F) 2, Maggie Coleman (C) 8; Shots: Farmington 12-5; Penalty corners: Farmington 8-6

Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 30 years.

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