ATHOL — On “Pink Night” for breast cancer awareness, the Mahar field hockey team beat Athol 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Upon entering Dave O’Brien Field, there were tables with baked goods and raffle prizes to raise money for the cause. All funds raised go directly to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for donation.
“The kids love to give back,” Athol coach Emily Hall said. “Especially when they are playing their rivals. There is a different kind of energy for these games.”
The two teams go back and forth hosting the event.
“It kind of hits home for a lot of people out here that have had breast cancer,” Mahar coach Laurie Saisa said.
While the two teams got together for a good cause, the game had the same familiar fire that the rivalry normally produces.
“The girls have their heart and soul into this,” Hall said. “They were like a different team. They played like a team more than I have ever seen.”
The Red Raiders played well against the Senators, but goals by Anna Wetherbee and Abby Henne were enough for Mahar (6-3).
“This is a huge thing in all of our sports,” Saisa said. “They psych up for this. But it’s about the community, it brings people together. Especially for this sport. It’s a dying sport.”
Both teams wore pink themed uniforms for the game. The Senators went with tank tops with a dark shade of pink, while the Red Raiders adorned short-sleeved shirts with pink tie-dye.
Ryley Pond made multiple saves for Athol (2-9-1) to keep it close early. Sadey Lehtomaki and Abigail Lutz pushed through the midfield here and there for Athol, but play was mostly in Athol’s end.
Pond continued her amazing season in net for the Red Raiders with 25 saves.
Heather Pilling scored for Athol on an assist from Lutz with one second left in the game after a mad scramble in front Mahar’s net.
“Even though it wasn’t a win,” Hall said. “It was a win for us. It’s going to be a huge confidence boost. It really is what we needed in the middle of the season.”
Hannah Dupont had an active game from the midfield for Mahar, while Aimee Dupont has yet to return to Mahar’s defense with a finger injury.
Bella Marigliano made four saves for the Senators.
Mahar 3, Mohawk 0 — The Senators swept the Warriors on the road behind seven kills by Ava Santana.
Aria Flematti led Mahar with 21 assists, while Carissa Thompson added eight aces.
Set scores were 25-19, 25-20, 25-20.
