For the sophomores and freshmen on one sideline, it was an unwelcome first.

For those on the other sideline, it was the first step in a campaign they hope carries them to a state title.

The defending state champion Derryfield field hockey team – led by Hopkinton’s own Ann DiPastina and Katherine DiPastina, the school’s all-time leading goal scorer – carried a 21-game winning streak into its Tuesday, Sept. 16, home matchup with Hopkinton, a team it defeated, 1-0, two weeks earlier. The Lady Cougars left with a 2-1 loss, their first setback since the 2006 playoffs.

“It is a great feeling, but it feels even better because we lost to them the first time,” said Hopkinton coach Patty Connolly. “To win on their beautiful turf is very satisfying.”

The Lady Hawks returned all but three players from their 2007 semifinalist team, and Connolly said she hopes the experience of reaching the final four two years in a row will translate into two additional postseason victories this year.

“I have eight seniors, so hopefully this will be our year, but you never know, this is a funny game,” she said. “Definitely, our expectation is to take that next step and, with a little luck, be in that final game.”

Despite the most recent result, both Connolly and Derryfield coach Lenny McCaigue agree it’s still the defending champs with the target on their backs.

“I think we’re still a little bit under the radar, but everyone wants to gun for the state champions,” said Connolly. “Maybe this will wake some people up, but I don’t feel people are really taking us for real yet.”

That’s why she knows her squad must continue to prove it’s among the Class M-S elite. Sophomore Megan Edmonds fills a vacancy in net. She’s progressing steadily, as evidenced by her 12 saves against Derryfield, said Connolly.

Junior Danielle Gonzalas, who played soccer last fall, never competed in field hockey prior to this season, yet she’s stepped in and had an immediate impact on the team’s offense.

In fact, Gonzalas scored both of Hopkinton’s goals against the Lady Cougars. The first came on a Taylor Adamski assist that knotted the contest at 21:08 in the second half, and the game winner came courtesy of Hannah Richard with 11:35 remaining in the battle.

Richard and Brooke Porter, said their coach, played outstanding in the midfield and kept constant pressure on Derryfield.

“If we had gotten a second goal before they scored, I don’t think they would have had the same momentum,” said McCaigue. “But they came out very motivated today and played a physically strong game.”

Captaining the Lady Hawks this year are Porter, who Connolly said contributes all over the field, Adamski, who anchors the backfield, and Brittany Dow, who has led Hopkinton in scoring the last three years.

Others making contributions for Hopkinton this season are Amy Smith, Mimi Ramsdell, Christina Hurley, Megan Wilson, Margreta York, Emma Hunt, Liz Crews, Remley Johnson, Claudia Lawton, Miranda Murphy and Ali Campbell.