On Tuesday Milford played their final home field hockey game of the season. On this day, Milford celebrated their graduating players and manager, Amari Flowers, as the soon to be Buccaneer graduates hosted Sussex Central on Senior Day.
The game was in control by Milford from the start and they defeated the visiting Golden Knights handily, 9-0. The game saw Milford find the scoreboard early as junior Katelyn Joseph would score the game’s first goal just a minute and a half in. Joseph would soon follow it up with another goal later in the first quarter. The other goal scorer in the first quarter would be junior Molly Masten, who would also score two goals in the contest. With a quiet second quarter, the teams would head into halftime with Milford maintaining a 3-0 advantage.
After Joseph opened the second half scoring with her second goal, Milford would take a 4-0 advantage into the fourth quarter. The first goal of the quarter would come off the stick of Julianne Dickerson less than two minutes into the period. It was at this point the senior celebration began for the Buccaneers.
It would begin with senior defender, Cherished White seeing the field and providing a key play breakup to neutralize a Central offensive attack. Then it would be senior captain Isabel Betts who would score a pair of back-to-back goals to slam the door on the contest, ensuring the Milford victory.
“It was really great to be able to score in my final home game. I have a lot of great times on this field, and this will always be on my mind.” Betts said.
Then it was time for the party to begin. With six minutes to go and with a big lead, Milford pulled White, Betts and goalkeeper Madison Stahl off the field to be recognized by the home crowd. While Stahl had no saves in the game, the three-year starter was still credited with the shutout. Stahl, who was first team All-Conference last season and a constant anchor during her time at Milford was slightly melancholy.
“I can’t believe this was my last home game,” Stahl said. “I have loved my time here so much, it really has been an honor to be a part of this team.”
Scanning the field, however, there was still one Milford senior left on the field. Senior defender and captain Leah Metzner remained on the field. As six minutes dwindled down to three, it was then that coach Andrea McPike shifted the defensive stall-worth, to attack. Metzner, who was called upon to steady a young defense for Milford this season, was being rewarded for her selflessness and tenacity for Milford.
“Leah has been such a leader and given so much to this team, I wanted to make sure she had a special opportunity.” McPike said.
Metzner would make the most of her opportunity, as she ripped in a shot from the middle of the circle with just 1:57 remaining in the game. It was at this point that the crowd and the Milford bench erupted in celebration. With her teammates chanting “Leah, Leah, Leah” following the goal, there was no doubt it was a special moment for Metzner. However, Metzner was not done. As the clock struck 0:00 Metzner would tally the game’s final goal, as Milford celebrated both the goal and the win at the same time.
“I was very excited to score today. I just wanted to remain focused when I was on offense and hope for an opportunity. When my chance came, I put a really good strike on the ball and knew that it was going in. It was just so great to be able to share that moment with my teammates in my final game, I am just thrilled.” Metzner said.
This group of seniors, who will close out the regular season at Indian River still having an outside chance of making the playoffs has had the job of teaching a young squad how to win and help to try and build on the Milford culture.
“It really has been so much fun playing with this group. We took it upon ourselves to help the younger players improve and they did. This is about continuing to build a sustainable foundation, and speaking for all the seniors, I believe we are a much better team now than we were at the start of the season.” Betts said.
As for McPike, she had nothing but praise for this group of seniors.
“Under normal circumstances we ask a lot of our seniors, this season we asked even more of them. I have coached this group for five years and they have demonstrated so much heart and selflessness, I couldn’t be prouder of them. We still have a huge game coming up against Indian River on Thursday, but today it was a big thank you to the players and families of these fantastic young ladies. I honestly couldn’t be prouder of them.” McPike concluded.
