BURLINGTON — When Jody Wood took over as the Windsor field hockey coach in 2017, winning a state championship was far down on the to-do list. A Yellowjacket graduate, bringing the program some stability after two-straight years of not fielding a varsity program was Wood’s top priority.
On Saturday afternoon, the to-do list was completed.
Top-seeded Windsor ran past No. 2 Stowe 3-0 in the VPA Division III Championship Game at UVM’s Moulton Winder Field. The championship is the Yellowjackets’ first since 2009 and seventh overall.
“Just a lot of support from the all parents and the community. A lot of growth,” Wood said. “I’m just so proud of the girls. They’ve worked so hard. To finally just finish strong and have a great game.
“I told them today, ‘When your leg gets tired, play with your heart.’ I felt like they did that.”
Last year Windsor fell in the semifinals, and in Wood’s inaugural season at the helm, Windsor ran into Stowe in the semifinals for a 3-2 loss. Saturday gave the Yellowjackets, specifically the junior and seniors, another chance.
Partnered with revenge, Windsor (14-2-1) rode its high-powered offense from the start. While the Yellowjackets offense finished with only five shots on net, that was all they needed. They dominated the field and time of possession; all three of their goals were unassisted.
Halfway through the first half, Wood’s daughter, Hannah, hit a chop shot inside 10 yards to give Windsor a lead it wouldn’t lose.
At the break, the Yellowjackets led 1-0, but opened up the second half with an Alyssa Slocum goal less than five minutes in. Angelina Bigwood tallied the final score with 16 minutes and 30 seconds to play.
Windsor finishes the season outscoring opponents 83-17.
“We knew they were going to come out strong because it was their third year in a row. We just needed to come out stronger,” Hannah Wood said. “I think we came out a lot less nervous than we did the last two years, even though this one meant more.
“We had the jitters, then settled down and played well. We play unselfish. We’ll do anything to score a goal.”
Windsor didn’t rely on penalty corners for shot opportunities. Its only corner of the game came in the second half when the Yellowjackets already had a 2-0 lead.
Stowe struggled to create any chances, too. They finished with three shots and Windsor goalie Glenna Ricard didn’t have to make a single save. The most action she got on the day was with 12 minutes to go when she kicked the ball out of the crease.
“I think that me not touching it means everyone one is doing their job, and they are doing it really well,” said Ricard, who recorded the Yellowjackets’ seventh shutout of the season.
Windsor will lose top-scorer Bigwood (21 goals) to graduation, along with Miranda Todt, Hayley Fortin and Chloe Husser.
Still, the Yellowjackets will have a nine-player junior class returning that have played a large role in bringing the field hockey program back to relevancy and success.
“There’s some pretty big shoes that need to be filled on the front line and defensively. The girls are just going to have to step up,” Jody Wood said.
Saturday also marked a Wood family celebration of sorts. After the hugs, cheers and tears, the Wood girls were able to have a moment. Holding the championship trophy, Jody had daughters Haley and Hannah to her right and left as they posed for a picture. Haley and Hannah had just won their first state championship.
While Hannah played, her sister helped Jody coach as an assistant. A 2019 Bryant University grad, Haley graduated from Windsor in 2015 but never won a championship despite setting the school record for goals in a season (25).
“It’s bittersweet because of course I wish I could’ve gotten one when I played,” Haley Wood said. “It’s almost cooler to get one as a coach. You’re the one that teaches them the things; then it’s so cool to see them do it on the field. It’s awesome to share this with my mom and sister. There’s nothing better.”
Pete Nakos can be reached at pnakos@vnews.com or 603-727-3306.