MANCHESTER – Standout junior midfielder Abby Kent believes her Manchester-Essex field hockey team might even get a bigger burst following a tough loss than it does a signature win.

Coming off one of those losses to No. 4 Sandwich last week, the Hornets showed exactly how dangerous that burst can be Wednesday night during a 4-0 nonleague win over a dangerous Masconomet group.

Strong tackling in and around the circle all game highlighted the shutout, backing up marquee performances from Kent (two goals) and senior Summer Demeo (two assists) to generate offense. Three of the goals they played a part in came in an eight-minute span between the third and fourth quarters, separating from a one-goal halftime lead to pull out a meaningful win.

“When we come out of a loss, we’re just that much more ready to turn it on and push for the next game,” Kent said. “I think (this win) is really beneficial. … We’ve become really close as a team.”

It’s no secret how strong Manchester-Essex plays when its midfield creates opportunities, which is something Kent and Demeo showed off early and often.

Kent played a major role in putting the Hornets on the attack from the opening whistle, helping produce a corner within the first two minutes. After Masconomet spent a few minutes applying the pressure in response, it was Kent’s playmaking that anchored Manchester-Essex’s transition back to the attack.

That led to another corner, and Kent finished off a frenzy in front for a 1-0 lead with 5:37 left.

It was the only goal either team could produce as defenses limited shots on net in the first half, but Kent and Demeo paced quite a few chances in the interim by getting the ball beyond the 25 and into the circle.

“It’s honestly seamless,” said Manchester-Essex head coach Courtney Brown. “I think, to work the ball out from our backs, connecting to our mids – as soon as Summer or Abby get the ball on their stick, I’m like, ‘OK, we’re good, something’s going to happen.’ But what my favorite thing about them too, is they have such incredible game sense and they’re switching and rotating with each other.”

Eventually, the goals flooded in.

Kent scored her second goal with about four minutes left in the third quarter, setting herself up with a move to the right wing before sending a goal to the far corner. Less than three minutes later, Demeo pulled the ball away from goalie Sabrina Cafarelli’s kick attempt by the stroke line and assisted a Laila Mears goal by the left post for a 3-0 lead.

A corner opportunity with 11:28 left ended with Kiernan Day redirecting a reverse from Demeo to blow the game open.

“I think it’s a lot of momentum,” Kent said. “Coming out of goals, we just get an energy boost. And we’re the kind of team that will use the first half as like a warm-up, get into the game. And the second half, we really come out, turn it on and finish the game.”

Masconomet was in the game for much of the way despite what the final score says, as Mia Marques and Mia Juliano’s speed and stick skills helped the Chieftains break past the midfield many times. Once they got to the circle, though, seniors Aisling Twombly, Hannah Davis and Isabelle Donnellan Valade limited them to just one shot on goalie Brigid Carovillano.

“(We) have three incredibly solid senior defenders who know the style of defense that we play,” Brown said. “It’s protect the circle at all costs. And then after that, it’s protect the goal. … They have really embraced that philosophy.”