Search
Hilltoppers fall to the Rhinos after a big battle.
Games between these two teams are usually close disputed contests. The tradition was once again respected this past Saturday; in spite of grey skies, low clouds and a chill in the air, things got heated very quickly and remained so throughout the entire game.
Hopkins spent a few minutes adapting to dangerous runs from the host team and finding their marks. That gave an opportunity to one of the Rhinos to collect a ball just inside the 18 yards and swiftly turn on it, strike high and find the upper far corner to put Taft on the score board.
That goal electrified the visitors who from then on battled for every ball everywhere on the field and started to pressure their hosts with forays deep into Big Red's defensive half. There was much back and forth with several physical one on one contest in the middle of the field. After several Hopkins attempts, a ball sent by Ella FUJIMORI '21 found Anna SIMON '21 running into the box, she found a seam within Taft's defense, delivered a lateral pass to Co-captain Emma LIPMAN '19 who did not miss her mark and tied the game for the Hilltoppers with 3 minutes left into the first period.
The second half did not pale in comparison to the first with both teams battling hard to turn the tie into a win. Each side had several chances and both goal keepers were tested time and again. Hopkins put much pressure onto their hosts and forced them to several fouls which all turned into opportunities. Sophia FITZSIMONDS '20 delivered a series of well placed balls that threatened the Rhino's goal but in vain as the Hilltopers did not convert. With 4 minutes left into the contest, a Taft player collected a loose ball at about 20 yards from Hopkins goal's line and fired a low shot that somehow went through Hopkins' defense and out of reach of keeper Rayane TAROUA '20 who otherwise had another strong showing between the pipes.
Although Hopkins fought hard to reverse the course during the last four minutes and again had Big Red under much pressure, the host team managed to stem the tide as time ran out for the Hilltoppers.
Regardless of the adverse final result, Hopkins Varsity squad has much to be proud about this game. They need to carry this momentum into next week. On Wednesday, they will go to Greenwich Academy and on Friday they will host Holly Child from Rye; two important FAA contests.
Thank you to all the parents and friends who came to Watertown to support the team, among others former co-captain Erin KNOX '18.
Back
Hopkins spent a few minutes adapting to dangerous runs from the host team and finding their marks. That gave an opportunity to one of the Rhinos to collect a ball just inside the 18 yards and swiftly turn on it, strike high and find the upper far corner to put Taft on the score board.
That goal electrified the visitors who from then on battled for every ball everywhere on the field and started to pressure their hosts with forays deep into Big Red's defensive half. There was much back and forth with several physical one on one contest in the middle of the field. After several Hopkins attempts, a ball sent by Ella FUJIMORI '21 found Anna SIMON '21 running into the box, she found a seam within Taft's defense, delivered a lateral pass to Co-captain Emma LIPMAN '19 who did not miss her mark and tied the game for the Hilltoppers with 3 minutes left into the first period.
The second half did not pale in comparison to the first with both teams battling hard to turn the tie into a win. Each side had several chances and both goal keepers were tested time and again. Hopkins put much pressure onto their hosts and forced them to several fouls which all turned into opportunities. Sophia FITZSIMONDS '20 delivered a series of well placed balls that threatened the Rhino's goal but in vain as the Hilltopers did not convert. With 4 minutes left into the contest, a Taft player collected a loose ball at about 20 yards from Hopkins goal's line and fired a low shot that somehow went through Hopkins' defense and out of reach of keeper Rayane TAROUA '20 who otherwise had another strong showing between the pipes.
Although Hopkins fought hard to reverse the course during the last four minutes and again had Big Red under much pressure, the host team managed to stem the tide as time ran out for the Hilltoppers.
Regardless of the adverse final result, Hopkins Varsity squad has much to be proud about this game. They need to carry this momentum into next week. On Wednesday, they will go to Greenwich Academy and on Friday they will host Holly Child from Rye; two important FAA contests.
Thank you to all the parents and friends who came to Watertown to support the team, among others former co-captain Erin KNOX '18.
Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.
Hopkins School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.