WORTON — Cheered on by a large and loud fan base, the Trojans competed well in their first home field hockey game of the season Thursday.
Freshman Abigail Strayer was credited with 12 saves and junior Grace Gerstung netted Kent County’s first goal of 2024 in what ultimately was a 4-1 loss to unbeaten Crisfield.
Coaches Susan Wright-Taylor and Maddie Taylor agreed the Trojans’ play was much improved from the season opener two days earlier at James M. Bennett in Salisbury.
Back-to-back goals from Denni-Lynn Parks and Autumn Johnson in the span of 1 minute, 32 seconds early in the second quarter was the proverbial dagger for the Trojans, who were unable to overcome a 3-0 halftime deficit.
Parks also scored the game’s first goal, off a penalty corner, with 7:38 remaining in the opening frame.
Three of the Crabbers’ four goals were scored off penalty corners, including the final one that came after time had expired.
Gerstung broke through for the home team with 1:15 to go in the third quarter, putting back the initial shot by Kate Cannon that ricocheted off goalie Haylee Day’s legguards.
The Trojans (0-2) had four more shots on goal and another penalty corner as they elevated their level of play over the next 15 minutes, but were unable to solve Day a second time.
Meantime, Strayer and an all-underclassman defense led by junior Tess Fuchs kept the Crabbers off the scoreboard for nearly 41 minutes that spanned the second, third and fourth quarters — until a foul in the scoring circle led to a corner with 25 seconds remaining. By the time Crisfield (3-0) inserted the ball, time had expired, but the officials allowed the corner to be played out.
WHAT’S NEXT: Kent County is home twice this week, Tuesday (Sept. 17) against Stephen Decatur and Thursday against St. Michaels. Both games begin at 4 p.m.
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Woooooo lets go kent