Anne Gasbarro was bracing for the unexpected. 

The head coach of the Barrington High School field hockey team knew that the Moses Brown team was talented and undefeated, but the Quakers had spent the first part of the season playing mostly against Massachusetts teams. 

“They were kind of the big mystery for everyone in Rhode Island,” Gasbarro said.

Then on Friday, Sept. 11 the Quakers played their first game against a Rhode Island team — MB crushed North Kingstown, 12-1. 

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Eagles hosted Moses Brown, fending off an intense attack en route to a 2-0 loss to the Quakers. Barrington fell behind in the first quarter and trailed 2-0 at halftime, but kept Moses Brown off the board in the second half. 

Clare Capozza and Alandra Vicioso played important roles in Barrington’s defensive effort, turning aside a number of Moses Brown attacks. 

“I haven’t played them since last year and, and going out I was really confident with the new team we have,” said Vicioso after the game. “I feel like we all get along and have cohesive play. I am so excited for our next game against them.”

Gasbarro was encouraged by her team’s effort.

“I think we were playing a little frantic because we so badly wanted to score on them,” Gasbarro said. “We really wanted to change the momentum of the game, but we’ll seem them again this season. I think that we can beat them. I think now we’re aware of what we’re up against.”

The Eagles had a handful of scoring chances but failed to connect with some shots or mis-hit the ball with others. Early in the second half, Barrington’s Shelby Gasbarro sprinted up the near side of the field with the ball, dodged a pair of Moses Brown defenders and ripped a stinging pass to a teammate who was stationed near the Quakers’ goal. The attempt ended in missed shot. 

The Eagles’ defense, meanwhile, was pressed by a relentless MB attack. The Quakers, who dominated in penalty corners, had two goals called off.

Moses Brown improved to 2-0 in Division I standings, while Barrington dipped to 2-2. The Eagles are 4-2 overall, with non-league wins against Wheeler and Portsmouth Abbey.

“I feel like our past few games have been a great reflection of the beginning of the season. And that’s just our baseline. So we have so much to grow and improve upon so I can’t wait to see where we are at the end of the season,” said Vicioso.

Freshmen class

Coach Gasbarro said she has already noticed a difference in the level of play for this year’s team, thanks to the BHS playing surface. This is the first full season the Eagles have been playing and practicing on the synthetic turf surface at Victory Field. 

“I feel like we’re faster. Our ball control is better, more consistent,” Gasbarro said. 

She also spoke about the ninth-graders on the team: “These freshmen will never know playing on grass. They’re the first class of players that we have that will only ever have this new beautiful field,” she said, looking out onto Victory Field. “As a group, the freshmen look fantastic for the future.”