Cumberland’s first settlements date back to 1635, Lincoln’s to about 1650. The rivalry feels only slightly younger.

Two communities along the Blackstone, built around hardworking families and pride in where they come from. There’s plenty of common ground between the neighbors. Similar values, familiar faces, and generations of kids who grew up knowing that a game against Lincoln carries a little something extra.

This fall, the field hockey teams had been doing their part to keep things interesting.

They entered their first meeting with matching 5–2 records and finished tied at one. The next time around, both teams improved their scoring output by a goal. Two apiece. Some progress offensively, but still no resolution.

After battling through the rest of their schedules, they arrived at Monday’s meeting right back where they had been: side by side. Both 7–5–2, with one more chance to put some distance between them.

Cumberland took that opportunity and ran with it.

The Clippers jumped out to a three-goal first quarter, built a 4–0 halftime lead and answered Lincoln’s second-half push to close out a 6–2 road victory. After two meetings decided by the smallest possible margin—none—Cumberland finished this one four goals clear.

Maddison Skurka and Payton Jolicoeur led the scoring with two goals apiece. Tessa Nicastro and Madelyn Crawford each added one, with Nora Pepin providing the assist on Crawford’s finish. Four players finding the net, a teammate supplying the setup, and strong passing helping the Clippers connect their attack.

The early difference came in how Cumberland used its opportunities.

The Clippers worked into Lincoln’s circle and converted a penalty corner to open the scoring. Another corner brought another finish through traffic around the goalmouth, putting Cumberland ahead 2–0.

The pressure was producing chances, and the Clippers were making them count.

Another attack led to a penalty stroke, and Jolicoeur stepped in and converted. Three goals in the opening quarter against a team Cumberland hadn’t been able to separate from in either previous meeting.

That was quite a way to change the conversation.

Cumberland kept it going early in the second, advancing into the circle and finishing from open play to make it 4–0. Lincoln began spending more time in the Clippers’ defensive end as the half continued, but Cumberland got through those stretches—including a penalty corner—and took its four-goal lead into the break.

The Lions found their response in the third.

Lincoln converted a penalty corner to make it 4–1 and continued pressing. When another Lions corner came, Cumberland defended it, moved play into the opposite half and finished its next attacking phase to push the lead back to four.

That answer mattered.

Lincoln came forward again, kept an attack alive around the goalmouth and scored to make it 5–2. The Lions had put together their strongest offensive stretch of the night, but Cumberland’s goal between those two finishes kept them from drawing any closer.

The Clippers still had work to do in the fourth. Lincoln continued reaching the circle and earned another corner, but Cumberland protected its lead. With a little more than four minutes remaining, the Clippers moved through midfield, worked into the attacking circle and added their sixth goal.

This time, the neighbors would leave with different records.

Cumberland improves to 8–5–2 and moves into second place behind South Kingstown. Lincoln falls to 7–6–2 and sits third.

For the Clippers, it’s the kind of strong finish they hoped to carry into the playoffs. They took advantage of their chances early, got contributions throughout the attack and found an important answer when Lincoln started pushing back.

A familiar rivalry finally settled for the regular season, and a Cumberland team that appears to be finding its best field hockey at the right time.

There’s more work ahead. But these Clippers look capable of making some waves.

As the regular season comes to a close, Cumberland Sideline will keep you posted on playoff matchups, dates, and game times as they’re confirmed.