Malden High Field Hockey blanks Milford, 4-0, in MIAA Division 2 State Tournament

Ford scores two goals; Rivadeneira tosses shutout in goal for Tornados

By Nathan Dean

Malden High Blue and Gold

The Malden High School Golden Tornado Field Hockey team advanced to the preliminary round of the Division 2 State Tournament in a dominant 4-0 victory against the Milford Hawks. The 2023 GBL Champs went into the match as the 33rd-ranked seed competing against the 2-14-2 Milford team ranked as the 32nd seed with both teams vying for a chance in the Round of 32 against the first-ranked team in Reading Memorial the following Saturday. Malden would go on to lose the game to Reading Memorial 8-0.

On the cold day of November 3, the Golden Tornados braved the hour-long bus ride to Milford and began to warm up. As the game started, Malden quickly pulled away with an early goal from freshman Anthony Ford off of a corner only five minutes into the game. Malden would continue the early pressure with Ford scoring another goal not too long after.

With the end of the first quarter, though, Milford turned the tide and put on a strong second quarter, but good defense from the Malden side keeps the score 2-0 in Malden’s favor. The third quarter was more even, but only Malden was able to capitalize with a third goal from junior Kevin Chen. A fourth goal from Malden late in the last quarter from junior Kyle Huang would seal the deal for Malden.

“I feel on top of the world,” said Captain Daniel O’Toole, after the win. Ford echoed O’Toole’s emotion, saying he “feels great.”

Coach Tiffany Cane emphasized that both coaches were really proud of the team. “They’ve really come together,” Cane added. “This game was a phenomenal game; they played their heart out. This is the furthest that Malden Field Hockey has gone since we’ve been coaching.”

Both Coach Cane and Coach Samantha Souza began coaching in 2018. This is the second time under their leadership that the team has made the State Tournament and the third time that the team has been GBL champions.

“We had some really good practices leading up to this game,” Coach Souza mentioned, “We played like we practiced, and that really made us successful today.”

“Everybody was in control; we were playing great defense and had some great shots on corners and penalties,” O’Toole added.

“Our communication was pretty good,” Captain Pam Pam San continued.

“We really pulled through. It was one of our best games yet,” senior Sandra Tang said.

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Looking for some new players for next season

Moving into next year, the team is looking to recruit more athletes as many members will be graduating. For those interested in joining, information sessions will be held in the spring, and captains’ practices will be held in the summer. Coach Cane describes the team as “very family-based,” adding that “everyone is really great friends.” More information can be found on the team’s Instagram page @maldenfieldhockey.

In addition to these recruiting strategies, Coach Souza and Coach Cane are also looking to develop a middle school field hockey program. “There’s no experience before they play in high school. Literally, everyone is picking up a stick for the first time,” Souza explained.

Lastly, the coaches wanted to congratulate the team’s seniors: Yara Escobar, Daniel O’Toole, Zachary Nedell, Pam Pam San, Lilly Desantis and Sandra Tang.

“They’re irreplaceable,” Coach Cane said. “I’m so happy for them.”