BY JERRY LIPTAK

The postseason cost of its second-half lapse was kept to a minimum. But a relapse like that – at this time of year – means a collapse of Hopkinton’s field hockey season.

In the final regular-season game for both teams, the Hawks tied the visiting Berlin Mountaineers, 4-4, on Friday, Oct. 12, during senior day at Hopkinton. That means:

• Hopkinton dropped from the No. 3 seed in the Class M-S postseason to No. 4;
• Hopkinton’s only regular-season losses are to the division’s two unbeaten squads;
• Hopkinton faces stern treatment in practice from its disappointed head coach, Patty Connolly.

The Hawks posted a 10-3-1 record, but the girls, had they been able to maintain a 4-1 edge with less than 20 minutes remaining, were in line for the No. 3 seed. It went to Berlin instead.

“We’ve got to talk about how to hold onto a lead,” said Connolly. “We need to keep our intensity up
at all times.”

For more than 40 minutes, the hosts played with drive, following the example of senior tri-captain Jackie Reen. Wherever the ball was, she was. She also earned an assist on Hopkinton’s final score, firing a hard shot  that was stopped near the Berlin net; fellow senior captain Joanna Fortier tucked it into the goal.

Brittany Dow tallied both first-half scores for the Hawks, giving the locals a 2-1 edge at the break.

Hannah Richard’s score less than six minutes into the second half built the Hopkinton lead to 3-1.

But following Fortier’s goal, Berlin controlled play through the end of regulation, scoring two goals within one minute to cut the deficit to one, then tying the match with five minutes remaining.

The teams traded several three-on-two and two-on-one scoring chances in the 15-minute overtime, but Hopkinton goalkeeper Elyse Sedgley, after faltering during the Mountaineers’ comeback,
literally kicked aside a handful of point-blank Berlin shots to maintain the deadlock.

The senior captain joined Reen, Fortier, Pam Keilig and Julianne Power for a post-game thank you from Connolly, who enthusiastically recognized the contributions of the quartet and acknowledged the soon-graduating Berlin seniors, too.

Yet Connolly promised to point out the necessity of playing 60 minutes – not 40 or 45 – of heads-up field hockey to the girls, especially in the playoffs.

Still, the team has changed markedly since a season-opening 7-1 loss to Newfound Regional in August and a pair of close midseason setbacks to Derryfield.

“They’ve gotten to know each other and where they’re going to be on the field,” said Connolly. “And I’ve got a lot of great leaders that we need to set the example.”

On Saturday, Oct. 20, No. 4 seed Hopkinton hosts the winner of the Mascoma vs. Mascenic Regional match, which is scheduled to take place Thursday, Oct. 18.

Hopkinton traveled to and beat fifth-seeded Mascoma in the beginning of the season. The Lady Hawks have not played 12th-seeded Mascenic Regional.

Should Hopkinton win that quarterfinal-round match, the likely semifinal-round opponent would be top-seeded Newfound Regional, which has outscored its 14 foes 93-9.

The semifinals take place at Bedford High School on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 5 p.m.