'We really want to win this time': How D-S field hockey became a Final Four team again
DOVER - The Dover-Sherborn field hockey team's bench watched the final 10 seconds tick down hands clasped, bouncing in anticipation.
Just because the Blue Raiders made the Division 3 Final Four a season ago and they controlled most of Friday's 4-0 win over Falmouth, that didn't detract from the elation that followed the final horn.
D-S captain Avery Bent gleefully raised the semifinalist trophy and rushed over to her teammates after receiving it.
"You take nothing for granted in this tournament," D-S midfielder Drew Hassar said.
Or a season, really.
The Blue Raiders didn't emerge from the offseason fully formed as a Final Four team. They needed to replace an entire back line anchored by goalie Caroline Harvey, who now plays at Endicott.
"We knew that was going to be something we had to rebuild," Hassar said.
They already had the ingredients. The coaching staff auditioned Alia El-Hilali as a defender. She played there for her club squad despite operating in the midfield for D-S.
"We had a big hole to fill in that center-back position, and Alia was definitely our first choice," D-S coach Molly McGill said. "She's such a a smart player. She's so fast. Her stick work is great, she plays great defense. It was kind of a no brainer. I'm grateful she stepped in and has really done a great job."
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El-Hilali embraced the role and its challenge, essentially asking, 'When do I start?' She enjoyed seeing the whole field and being in a leadership position.
"You get to direct and tell other people what to do," El-Hilali said, laughing.
The Blue Raiders' defense hasn't suffered for it. They have eight shutouts on the season, including in three of their four tournament games. Only five opponents scored more than twice.
"She's been a total unsung hero this year for us on the back line," McGill said.
D-S goalie Kylie Craig, playing the position for the second year, turned away the only shot she faced against Falmouth. Four Blue Raiders found the net: Avery Hadfield, Annie Liebhoff, Bent and Evie Schneider. Bent and Finley Whitlock added an assist each.
Brackets: MetroWest and Milford 2023 MIAA fall playoff schedule
Now the Blue Raiders will await the winner of No. 2 Newburyport and No. 7 Gloucester, who play at 11 a.m. Saturday. They'll enter that game experienced after falling to Watertown a year ago at the same stage.
"We've been in this tournament three times before," Bent said. "We really want to win this time."
Contact Kyle Grabowski at kgrabowski@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kylegrbwsk.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Dover-Sherborn field hockey shuts out Falmouth to reach D3 Final Four
