Canton scores twice in second half as Warriors upset No. 4 Westbrook

Canton’s Fiona McNally (4) scored her 11th goal of the season as the Warriors upset No. 4 Westbrook in the second round of the Class S tournament Wednesday. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

WESTBROOK, November 7 – Fiona McNally and Poet Watson each had a goal in the second half as the No. 13 Canton High field hockey team upset No. 4 Westbrook, 2-0 in a Class S second round game Wednesday.

The Warriors (9-8) snapped a three-game losing streak at the hand of the Purple Knights and advance to Thursday’s Class S quarterfinal game at No. 5 Nonnewaug (14-3) in Woodbury beginning at 2 p.m.

Westbrook (14-3-2) won seven of their first eight games and were ranked No. 9 in the coaches top 10 poll earlier this season. The Knights beat the Warriors on October 12 by a 1-0 score.

With her first goal of the season, Watson gave Canton a 1-0 lead on Wednesday with 23:29 left in the game off an assist from Abby Charron. Canton extended the lead to two goals 10 minutes later when McNally scored her 12^th goal of the season, again off an assist from Charron.

Canton’s Ashley Huff, left, looks to keep the ball away from Westbrook’s Carolyn Bauman in Wednesday’s Class S second round game. Canton won, 2-0. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

Canton goalie Michaela Gay and the Warrior defense stood tall despite a Westbrook attack that put 13 shots on net and had 10 penalty corner opportunities. Gay made 13 saves to earn the shutout.

It was the second straight loss for the Purple Knights, who lost in the Shoreline Conference championship game to North Branford, 2-0.

Canton has won five of their last six games and has outscored their opposition by a combined score of 22-7 in this six-game run. It was Canton’s first win over Westbrook since 2015 when the Warriors prevailed, 2-0.

Canton 2, Westbrook 0
At Westbrook
Canton (9-8)                    0  2  — 2
Westbrook (14-3-2)        0  0  — 0
Goals: Fiona McNallly (Ca), Poet Watson (Ca); Assists: Abby Charron (Ca) 2; Saves: Michaela Gay (Ca) 13; Shots: Westbrook, 13-10; Penalty corners: Westbrook, 10-5

Canton’s Poet Watson (24) scored her first goal of the season in Wednesday’s 2-0 Class S tournament win over Westbrook. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)