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Fisher turns hunter for JM
Group A/AA state field hockey quarterfinals: Jamestown vs. James MonroeDate published: 11/8/2006 By JUSTIN RICE NEWPORT NEWS--With one last kick, James Monroe keeper Sarah Fisher knocked away a final-second shot by Jamestown and then the referee's whistle ended yesterday's game. It was an appropriate finish to the Yellow Jackets' 2-0 win in the Group A/AA field hockey state quarterfinals at Christopher Newport University. The sophomore keeper turned away the Eagles time and time again, preserving JM's early 2-0 lead and setting up a semifinal match against Western Albemarle Friday at noon. Chancellor will play Monticello--a 5-0 winner against Northumberland yesterday--in Friday's 2 p.m. semifinal. "[Fisher's] doing phenomenally in the cage," junior Maggie John said. "We feel really assured with her back there." It was JM's first win in three tries against Jamestown this season. The Eagles had 2-1 overtime wins against the Jackets in the regular season and in last week's Region I semifinals. This time, James Monroe (17-6) was able to build a 2-0 lead midway through the first half and then sat back and relied on Fisher and the rest of the defense. "We've played them twice--both overtime games," said JM coach Jamie Tierney, who has now taken the Jackets to the state semifinals in both her seasons at the program's helm. "We knew how they were going to play, and we knew what we had to do." Cameron McManus struck first for JM yesterday. She was in front of the goal with 17:31 left in the first half and punched in a close-range shot for a 1-0 advantage. Three minutes later, Erin Haynes made good on a penalty stroke, scooping the ball high over standout Jamestown goalie Caitlin Keroack. "When we were warming up, we were sitting in a circle and we talk about goals," JM defender Ally Duggins said. "I said, 'We really want to score first and score early because you want to catch a team off-guard, but two goals would be nice.' Two gives you a nice cushion." Haynes gave JM that cushion; Fisher made it stand up. The goalie kicked away Meghan McCorry's breakaway with 6:53 left in the half. She used her glove to deflect Megan Matthews' hard shot off a corner just before the break. The pressure built as Jamestown turned up its attack in the second half. The Eagles dominated possession after the intermission, but never were able to figure out Fisher. "[Fisher] had some fantastic saves and really stepped up," Jamestown coach Shannon Freeman said. "I thought we'd get one, but we weren't able to punch a shot in. You have to be able to capitalize." Matthews smoked another hard shot off a corner two minutes in the second half that Fisher kicked away, and then Jamestown had a flurry of tries with 14:57 left in the clock, none that bested Fisher. "She did an awesome job," Duggins said. "It's amazing she's only been on the team for two years. She's just awesome. She can read everything. "They did dominate [in the second half], and I think we got a little scared, but the defense held strong." To reach JUSTIN RICE:
Date published: 11/8/2006
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