Despite missing two senior, key attackers, the Zebras came out with a mission to play with their whole hearts today. The team broke the game into 6 minute chunks, looking to focus on the little things and the fight to protect their home turf. Deerfield took a 4-1 lead with 5 minutes remaining in the first quarter, but Middlesex came roaring back in the remaining minutes with goals from junior Finley Crosby and ninth grader Ryan Pinney (her first high school career goal) to even the score at the end of the first. Despite many defensive caused turnovers, Deerfield again notched four goals in the second quarter and the game remained 4-8 until 1:57 remained in the half. Crosby notched two to bring the deficit to two goals going into the second half.Both teams notched three goals in the third to bring the score to 9-11 in Deerfield's favor.

The fourth quarter, however, belonged to the Zebras. Sophomore Cate Glass opened the scoring off a feed from ninth grader Ellie Bracken and Crosby tied it 11-11 with 5:44 remaining. Deerfield took the lead again with 2:08 on the clock, but Cate Glass found the back of the net again on a crucial goal less than a minute later to even the score again. Middlesex then took their first and final lead of the game with 34 seconds remaining when Glass found Pinney for the game winner. Ninth grader Lev Lynch had 8 saves for the Zebras and senior Siena Berardinelli notched two crucial caused turnovers to help for the win. Avery Taylor and Katie Athanasoulas were unsung heroes of the defensive unit with terrific slides and crashes throughout the day and Aidan Bell pulled out a game-winning check to stop a Deerfield shot and preserve the win. Thea Salem and Lucia Cook stepped into the game at big moments to keep the poise and calm in the final minutes. The ninth graders combined for 6 points and Crosby was outstanding at both ends of the field. Alex Hood was a star in the practice the day before the Deerfield game as she played the backer to help prepare the attacking unit. Overall, it was a huge team win, especially as the team faced adversity.