The Pilgrim and Toll Gate field hockey teams tied 1-1 on Tuesday afternoon in a big Division II battle as the playoffs begin next week.

Ayla Paley got Toll Gate on the board with less than three minutes remaining in the first half but Pilgrim would quickly respond when Lily Farrell knocked in the tying goal midway through the third quarter. The two teams traded shots down the stretch but the defenses would hold steady through overtime.

Pilgrim has struggled to find offensive consistency throughout the fall, but coach Stephanie Shields has seen some improvement as of late and was happy with her team’s response in the third quarter.

“We have not scored many goals this year, but the girls are starting to play better offensively so to get that goal was important. Things are beginning to click and the opportunities have been there. It’s going to be about taking those opportunities and turning them into goals,” said Shields.

“It was a great game and I was happy for Amanda (Preston), I thought she played really well on her senior night. There were times in that game where we dominated, times where they dominated, it was just a really good game and either team could have won,” added Toll Gate coach Jim Areson.

The Division II standings are crowded as teams get set to wrap up their regular season slates. Toll Gate is likely to claim the third seed in the eight-team postseason, while Pilgrim will play against Chariho in a pivotal regular season finale which could impact where it is placed.

Shields feels that her team is starting to gel at the right time.

“Going into the playoffs you want to be playing your best field hockey and we have been. This game today showed it. Going into overtime they played really hard, so I am proud of them. We are playing our best field hockey and it is showing on the field. It has put us in a good position for the playoffs,” said Shields.

Toll Gate is enjoying a bounce back season after a down 2022. Areson is excited to see the Titans back in contendership and is looking for even more urgency from the players in the postseason.

“It’s been a really good season and to have a chance to finish the regular season with a winning record is a bonus. We lost a lot last year and struggled so to be playing this well is a surprise,” Areson said. “If we can play with consistency then we will be a tough out. That is something that we need to work on, playing a full game without these lulls. Today we scored the goal and then we stopped moving. We are not that good that we can just turn it on and off. The only one with playoff experience is Amanda so she will be important, any time that you have a player with playoff experience, that is a good thing.”