Arnold gets a hat trick to lead Shore over Keyport
Elements wreak havoc in Blue Devils’ ninth win
CHRIS KELLY Shore Regional’s Amanda Arnold chases down a loose ball during the Blue Devils’ win over Keyport in Long Branch Friday.
It appears not even the weather can stop Shore Regional’s field hockey team from scoring.
After two delays due to lightning, Shore Regional was finally awarded a 7-0 victory over Keyport last Friday night. Thunderclouds loomed throughout the sky when both teams took the field for this night game in West Long Branch .
With 23:34 left in the first half, the officials called for the first delay when a bolt of lightning streaked through the sky. When play resumed 30 minutes later, Casey Whalen quickly turned a pass from Ali Shames-Dawson into a goal.
The opening goal, the game’s actual winner, opened the flood gates for Shore Regional’s offensive attack. The Blue Devils went on to score four more goals in the first half and two in the second, before the game was called because of the weather.
Amanda Arnold increased Shore’s lead to 3-0, after first converting a pass from Lauren Hennessey (11:22), then rifled off a solo effort at 18:28.
Shore went ahead 5-0 after Hennessey scored at 26:35, and Shames-Dawson at 29:30. Earning the assist on Hennessey’s goal was Stephanie Rubert.
The extreme weather that halted play in the first half appeared to have dissipated as play resumed after the half-time break.
Shames-Dawson improved Shore to a 6-0 lead, after sending a pass from Whalen past Nelcy Lucena 3:30 into the second half.
Three minutes later, Arnold earned a hat trick when she rifled another goal into the back of the cage.
More than 23 minutes were left on the clock when another bolt of lightning flashed overhead near the field, forcing another lengthy game delay.
After 20 minutes, the appropriate parties agreed to call the game, and since the game had completed a full half of play, the score stood for an official win for Shore.
Shore outshot its guests 32-1, with goalie Robyn Apicelli stopping Keyport’s only attempt. Lucena had 10 saves.
The Blue Devils return to action on Friday when they host Rumson-Fair Haven, at 3:45 p.m.
They travel to face St. Rose on Wednesday, with game time slated for 4 p.m.
Shore now stands at 9-0 (6-0).