Comets Stay on the Attack in 6-3 Win at Walker

The Comets went to Walker on Tuesday night and kept doing what it has done early this season: push the pace, attack the corners, pressure the ball, and create shots that lead to goals.

The Comets’ 6-3 road win was impressive, in a match that was more competitive than the final score might suggest. Walker challenged Hillcrest through the midfield and stayed within striking distance for much of the first half, but the Comets kept finding ways to break through.

Senior captain Paisley Garvin helped create the first goal when she sent a long ball forward for Kaia Fiskness. The Walker keeper got to it but could not control the play, and Fiskness stayed on ball and finished the play for the opening goal. Following a Walker equalizer, Garvin and Fiskness connected again in the half; after a throw-in combination from Isla Frobish, Garvin sent another ball in behind the Walker defense. Fiskness got on the end of it and finished off the post to put Hillcrest back in front, 2-1.

With the Comet lead came Comet momentum, and a few minutes later, Alexa Ewan won a contest in midfield and quickly turned it into a Comet attack, finding Aubrey Markovetz under pressure. Markovetz drove the ball, meandering past the Walker goalkeeper for her first varsity goal, giving the Comets a 3-2 lead at half.

The Comet girls came out of the break with more urgency and scored two minutes into the second half. Ewan’s throw-in found Dakota Campbell, who put the ball away quickly to stretch the lead to 4-2. Ewan later added a goal of her own. After working down the sideline and sending a cross toward Frobish, the ball came back to her, the goalkeeper pulled out of position, and Ewan finished the play cleanly.

Hillcrest added one more goal late in the final frame off a free kick from Grace Carpenter. Campbell got a shot off in traffic, the ball deflected, and Markovetz cleaned up the chaos with a quick chip in for her second goal of the night, capping a night that went from memorable to significant, with Markovetz moving from her first varsity goal to her first varsity two-goal game.

The six goals for the Comets reveal what the team has been forging in practice, growing more comfortable playing together. Fiskness continues to be dangerous behind defenders, Ewan is controlling the game and creating chances from the midfield, and Garvin is giving Hillcrest another attacking option from the back end.

The Comets decisive win was carried by the consistent work of the defense and the strength of Mckinlee Ballweg in goal. The senior captain made eight saves and came up with several important stops when Walker was able to get through the Comet back line.

Amelia Lindgren, Maggie Mark, Avery Uselman, Claire Venberg, and Rafaela Fogagnolo helped hold things together defensively, while Lauren Markovetz, Danna Rodriguez, and Cecelia Wachlarowicz did a lot of the work in midfield to keep Hillcrest moving forward. What continues to stand out with this Comet team is the number of players getting involved. Tuesday was another strong step forward in what is a promising season.

Hillcrest now turns its attention to Melrose, where the Lady Comets will play Thursday, September 3.