The season is young, but the Red Hawks field hockey program is rolling on with another win through two games.

When the varsity A field hockey team came off an 11-0 win a week before against the Holy Cross Hurricanes a tougher challenge was expected and needed.

The Crestwood Secondary School Mustangs of Peterborough brought that challenge, pushing the Haliburton Highlands Secondary School Red Hawks at home on Wednesday, Sept. 26.

Despite a 3-0 win, Haliburton needed to withstand a physical toll administered by the winless visitors, who entered play 0-1-0 on the season.

Although HHSS still outchanced and outshot the Mustangs, it was strong test for the perennial favourites, who not only won Kawartha, but also earned a berth to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championships as the Central Ontario Secondary School Athletics champions.

Red Hawks coach Caley Sisson was happy with the performance, particularly the first goal scored on the short corner, as the team continues to refine its set play opportunity.

Sisson said, in terms of physical play, the Mustangs demonstrated the greatest challenge for the Red Hawks this season. More than any other team, including the recent Ottawa Bears Tournament the weekend before.

Last week’s leading Red Hawks forward and veteran Laura Pottier scored the first and eventual game winner when she tapped in a loose ball in the shooting circle that eluded the Mustangs goal keeper, Bayleigh Bradshaw.

Bradshaw didn’t miss many and kept the game within reach for the visitors despite the offensive barrage thrown at her. It was only 1-0 at the half.

Haliburton, who benefited from the Pottier strike early on, stuck to their game plan and used its pace and kept its composure. The Red Hawks have a lot of speed at the forward and midfielder position and kept the tempo high.

In the second half, the Red Hawks forward Sandy Griffith scored her fourth goal of the season when she added an insurance marker with a deft little quick backhand inside the goalmouth.

New varsity A player Ali Valleau’s aggressive drive helped to get it inside the crease after a strong run from centre by Pottier down the wing to set it up. Minutes after, the Red Hawks forward Tanisha Gordon popped her first goal of the season off a loose ball for the insurance marker. This was possible after teammate Charlene Hicks broke free of her mark when she cut back to the centre of the field to bring the ball back to the top of the inside part of the shooting circle

With only two shots, including one “pancake” (or glove) save, Jenn Woolacott earned her second shutout in as many games. Haliburton is 2-0-0.

The Mustangs were shutout for the second straight game, losing 1-0 to Adam Scott a week before.

Red Hawks forward Ali Hicks was all smiles at the end of the game despite a sore hand from an errant stick. It’s uncertain she will miss any games.

Dakotah Francis missed the game with a concussion suffered during practice when she was struck with a ball. Emma Paul missed her second game due to family reasons.

Varsity B field hockey

The varsity B team equaled the As with a solid 3-1 win off the game-winning goal by Alisha Bishop, who scored in tight on the goal keeper when she was left undefended in the first half. The team improves to 2-0-0. Teammate Alexandra French opened the scoring with her first while fellow Red Hawk Connor Marsden, who assisted on the first two, added the insurance marker.

Haliburton keeper Sydney Cameron sports a .100 Goals Against Average, letting in the lone goal on a long, bouncing shot.