Annis’ four goals helps Ponies stay unbeaten

By Stuart Hedstrom 
Staff Writer
    DOVER-FOXCROFT — The first half of the field hockey season has been nearly perfect for Foxcroft Academy.

The Ponies compiled a record of 7-0-1 — the only non-victory came in a scoreless tie vs. third-ranked Class B East Old Town High School in the first contest of 2013 — while posting shutouts in all eight games for a 34-0 scoring advantage.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
    FOUR-GOAL MORNING — Julia Annis of Foxcroft Academy would score a trio of goals in the first half and four total during the Ponies’ 6-0 victory over Hermon during a morning field hockey game on Sept. 28 in Dover-Foxcroft. Foxcroft improved to 8-0-1 on the season, and remained the only one of the nearly 80 Maine high school field hockey teams to have not given up a goal in 2013.   
    During a game vs. Class B Hermon High School on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 28, Foxcroft had the same result as nearly all of the previous contests as the Ponies won 6-0. Julia Annis would put a shot into the Hawk goal on four separate occasions and once again keeper Bre Skolfield and the Pony defense kept the opposition from doing likewise. Foxcroft, who improved to 8-0-1, are the only one of the 79 Maine high school field hockey teams across Classes A, B and C that has yet to have given a goal up this fall (even Class A dynasty Skowhegan Area High School has been scored upon this deep into the season).
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
    PROVIDING THE ASSIST(ANCE) — Madi Fadley fires off a pass to teammate Julia Annis early in the game against Hermon on Sept. 28. Annis then recorded a goal to put the Ponies on the scoreboard a minute and 27 seconds into the game.   
    Nearly a minute and a half into the first half the Ponies would score what would turn out to be the only needed goal. Madi Fadley had the ball near the left side of the goal, and she passed it across in front to Annis. Annis quickly fired off a shot that found the inside of the left post for the 1-0 advantage 87 seconds into the game.
    Annis was just getting started as a little more than three minutes later she fired off a shot through a crowd of Ponies and Hawks that went in goal for No. 2.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
    EYE AND STICK ON THE BALL — Foxcroft’s Mackenzie Coiley brings the ball up the field during the Sept. 28 contest.  
    Foxcroft would keep Hermon’s Kailee Dunton busy throughout the 60 minutes of play, the Hawk keeper finished with a game-high 25 saves on 44 shots. Dunton made a save on a shot by Mackenzie Coiley about 13 minutes in to play, but the ball rolled onto the grass after Dunton made the play. Annis was in position to send the ball right back at the goal, and Dunton could not make this save as Annis’ third goal was good for a 3-0 lead less than a fourth of the way through the contest.
    Later in the first half Fern Morrison joined Annis on the scoring sheet as she fired off a point blank shot from the right of the goal after receiving a pass from Emily Higgins, who was positioned to the left of the goal.
    Hermon would have a scoring chance before the half after a penalty corner — the Ponies had a 7-1 corner edge in the opening 30-minute session and 17-2 advantage overall — but Skolfield was able to kick a shot away to prevent any other chances on the play.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
    SOMEONE’S WATCHING — Amber Anderson digs the ball out of the corner. In the second half Anderson picked up a goal and an assist.  
    In the second half Annis was again in the right place at the right time. A shot by Amber Anderson was blocked but Annis was positioned in front of the goal to put the ball in. With less than five and a half minutes to go, the two Ponies reversed the earlier goal as Anderson scored on an Annis assist (giving her a hand in five of the six goals).
    With the win Foxcroft swept Hermon (who dropped to 3-6), having downed the Hawks 4-0 in Penobscot County on Sept. 7 in the second game of the season. The Ponies — who have a 40-0 goals for vs. against advantage after nine games — are scheduled to play next on Friday, Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. when the team hosts Stearns High School of Millinocket (0-9 as of presstime).

FIELD HOCKEY
Foxcroft 6,
Hermon 0

Hermon      0        0        —        0
Foxcroft      4        2        —        6
    First half: FA — Annis (Fadley); FA — Annis; FA — Annis (Coiley); FA — Morrison (Higgins).
    Second half: FA — Annis (Anderson); FA — Anderson (Annis).
    Saves: FA — Skolfield 1; H — Dunton 25.   
    Penalty corners: FA — 17; H — 2.
    Records: FA 8-0-1; H 3-6.