A year after last season’s quarterfinal heartbreak, the Bedford Bulldogs field hockey team completed their comeback — winning the NHIAA Division 1 Field Hockey Championship on November 1st. The Bulldogs defeated No.1 seed, Keene, 2-1 to claim the title and cap off a storybook-worthy season.
Motivated by last year’s quarterfinal loss, the team set out to rewrite this season’s ending and finish as top dog. “The girls all know the season will end at some point, whether it’s October 23rd or November 1st — they all want to enjoy it,” Coach Kate Gaudreau said earlier in the postseason. That mindset carried Bedford all the way through to their championship finish.
With 13 seniors at the helm, the Bulldogs faced tough competition throughout the season, learning to stay resilient. “We had a tough middle of the season, facing serious competition game after game,” Gaudreau said. “It taught the girls not to overlook any opponent and to play Bulldog field hockey every time they’re on the field together.”
The Bulldogs entered the playoffs holding the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. They fought through a competitive bracket facing strong opponents to reach the finals. In front of a packed home crowd at Bulldog Stadium, the team battled relentlessly, showcasing the same energy and grit that defined their season versus the No.1 seed- bringing home Bedford’s first field hockey championship in program history.
To Coach Gaudreau, their success is no surprise. “We take each and every game as a new opportunity to showcase our skills and make sure not to overlook any teams. No matter if we have a close win or a blowout, the girls put the same effort out on the field every day.” Although the road to Division 1’s finish line was long, the team’s preparation and perseverance turned Bedford’s championship push into a fitting end for a senior-heavy roster that refused to let history repeat itself.
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