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Oley opens the District 3 playoffs as the top seed in Class 1A in a quarterfinal game next Saturday.
Twin Valley starts fast, beats Oley Valley to win Berks field hockey title
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The key moment in Saturday’s BCIAA field hockey championship game may have occurred just over two minutes after the opening whistle.
That’s when Twin Valley’s Natali Foster sent a cross in front of the Oley Valley cage, which Makayla Carahaly knocked in off an assist from Hadley Munn to give the Raiders the quick lead. That fast start helped power the Raiders to a 4-1 win over the Lynx at Robesonia and to their second straight Berks title.
“I think that really sparked our energy,” Twin Valley senior Emma Winther said of the quick goal. “I think after that first goal, we just wanted more and more. I think we were really hungry for this win, so it was awesome.”
The Berks I champion Raiders (19-2) were able to cross a major goal off their to-do list, and to do it under more normal circumstances. Last year, they won the title on their home field, but with parents and fans keeping their distance during the postgame celebration.
This time, after the medals and trophy were presented, there were plenty of hugs with family and photo ops.
“Just coming out and doing it with our entire team is such an amazing experience,” said Foster, who finished with a goal and two assists. “We came onto this field, we knew what we wanted to do and we did it. It feels so amazing.”
Twin Valley coach Kim Walsh expressed a bit of concern about her team’s energy level coming off a 2-1 overtime win over division rival Wilson in the semifinals.
She needn’t have worried.
The Raiders doubled their lead when Carahaly scored her second goal, this one off an assist from Foster with 10:36 left in the first quarter. It was 2-0 less than five minutes into the game.
“We told them they have to come out,” Walsh said, “they have to come out hard. Getting those two goals changed everything because it just gave us that little bit of a cushion that we could kind of step back a little bit and relax and play our game.”
Berks III champ Oley (18-2) did respond after being staggered at the start.
The Lynx cut it to 2-1 when Alexandra Lopez scored off an assist from Molly Rothenberger on a corner with 12:39 left in the first half.
But Twin Valley restored the two-goal lead when Foster scored with 5:29 left in the second quarter with the Lynx a player down.
Collette Lennon kept the score at 3-1 when she made a defensive save for Twin Valley in the closing minutes of the half.
The Raiders went up 4-1 with 7:58 left in the third quarter when Winther deflected in a shot by Foster.
The Lynx continued to pressure. In fact, Oley finished with an 8-6 advantage in shots and 8-4 in corners, forcing Maddie Stevens to make five saves for the Raiders. Twin Valley’s Hannah Schmittinger also made a defensive save late in the third quarter.
Oley is a young team — the Lynx have only one senior in goalie Cassidy Drobek — and most players were experiencing a Berks title game for the first time.
“Any time you get a big game like this, it’s a great experience,” said Oley coach Tiffany Cappellano, who led the Lynx to four straight titles from 2016-19. “But they’ve also worked very hard to put themselves in this position, to be able to fight for a county championship, and I think today what got the best of us was our nerves.
“We haven’t been here in a few years. I think we got nervous. They caught us on our heels early. But I was proud. The second period we were able to kind of come back and answer back, and I think that speaks volumes to the type of kids that they are.”
Oley opens the District 3 playoffs as the top seed in Class 1A in a quarterfinal game next Saturday.
Twin Valley, the second seed in Class 2A, opens districts with a first-round game at home against Berks Catholic Wednesday at 4 p.m.
But for the Raiders, that’s something they can concentrate on later. At least for a little bit, they can savor being able to repeat as county champs. They successfully dealt with having that target on their backs by staying true to themselves and playing their game, Winther said.
“”Oley’s an amazing team,” Winther said. “They’re really well-coached, they’re very good players. Just playing as a team, playing our game really helped us come out with this win.”
Twin Valley players celebrate after beating Oley Valley to win the Berks field hockey title (COURTESY OF BILL SNOOK)
However, the District Three champion Lynx proved to be too much for the Blazers in downright awful conditions at Cocalico.
Lancaster Mennonite’s PIAA road ends in field hockey quarterfinal loss to Oley Valley
Ellie Lefever (24) of Lancaster Mennonite dribbles the ball up the pitch against Mia Woodard (4) of Oley Valley during PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal action at Cocalico High School’s Talon Field in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
MARK PALCZEWSKI | LNP Correspondent
- SMS
Saturday’s cold, wind, driving rain and even sleet could not stop the Lancaster Mennonite field hockey team during its PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal against Oley Valley.
However, the District Three champion Lynx proved to be too much for the Blazers in downright awful conditions at Cocalico.
Behind a patient, deliberate attack, Oley Valley scored three times in the first half and went on to a 5-0 win.
“They were terrible,” Mennonite senior Maya Habacivch said of the conditions. “It was windy, it was cold and the rain physically hurt when it was coming down. My hands are frozen. Towards the end you could see we were playing one-touch hockey.”
“I know the score was rough, but the girls played hard and Oley Valley is a great program,” Blazers coach Karisten Buckwalter said. “We knew that coming in.
“I think we came out and played hard. We had our moments, but at the end of day, they are a great team. They are so patient with the ball. It’s fun hockey to watch.”
Morgan Snyder’s beautiful reverse stick shot found the back of the Blazers’ cage to open the scoring with 3:21 to play in the first quarter.
While Mennonite held its own in the midfield early in the second, offensive opportunities were hard to come by.
Eventually, Oley Valley took control and Olivia Scatamacchia, who assisted on Oley’s first goal, scored with 4:49 left in the second. Less than three minutes later, Mia Woodard sent the teams to halftime with the Lynx leading 3-0.
Molly Rothenberger and Taylor Vaccaro added second-half goals, both of which were assisted by Snyder.
The Blazers’ best chance came early as a shot on goal led to a corner six minutes in. Junior Ellie Lefever got off a great strike from the top of the circle, but her blast went just wide.
Despite the loss, both Habacivch and Buckwalter reflected on the 2021 season with smiles after finishing 16-4.
“This team is really special and we had a great season,” said co-captain Habanivch. “I said a few weeks ago that I wanted to go farther than we did last year and that’s exactly what we did.”
“We set big goals. I am nothing but proud of my girls,” Buckwalter added. “We have a lot of injuries that we are nursing right now and the girls still came out and wanted to play through it.”
Buckwalter saluted her five seniors, Rebecca Lane, Heidi Stoltzfus, Sophia Gingrich, Heidi Gbotoe and Habanivch.
“These girls are a gift. They are something special. They are going to go out and touch the world in some huge ways, whether it is hockey or not,” she said. “These seniors have been leaders since their freshman year. I love them dearly and I want nothing but the best for them in their life.”
Lancaster Mennonite vs. Oley Valley PIAA Class 1A field hockey quarterfinals on 11/13/2021.
Lancaster Mennonite vs. Oley Valley – PIAA Class 1A field hockey quarterfinals [photos]
Lancaster Mennonite vs. Oley Valley PIAA Class 1A field hockey quarterfinals on 11/13/2021.
2021 Oley Valley vs. Lancaster Mennonite PIAA 1A Quarterfinal
Heidi Gbotoe (99) and Charlize Ganse (26) of Lancaster Mennonite collide while Mia Woodard (4) of Oley heads towads the goal during PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal action at Cocalico High School’s Talon Field in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
- MARK PALCZEWSKI | LNP Correspondent
- SMS
2021 Oley Valley vs. Lancaster Mennonite PIAA 1A Quarterfinal
Lancaster Mennonite goal keeper Heidi Gbotoe (99) is introduced before playing against Oley Valley during PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal action at Cocalico High School’s Talon Field in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
- MARK PALCZEWSKI | LNP Correspondent
- SMS
2021 Oley Valley vs. Lancaster Mennonite PIAA 1A Quarterfinal
Samiya Krady (17) of Lancaster Mennonite passes the ball up the pitch against Taylor Vaccaro (2) of Oley Valley during PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal action at Cocalico High School’s Talon Field in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
- MARK PALCZEWSKI | LNP Correspondent
- SMS
2021 Oley Valley vs. Lancaster Mennonite PIAA 1A Quarterfinal
Ellie Lefever (24) of Lancaster Mennonite dribbles the ball up the pitch against Mia Woodard (4) of Oley Valley during PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal action at Cocalico High School’s Talon Field in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
- MARK PALCZEWSKI | LNP Correspondent
- SMS
2021 Oley Valley vs. Lancaster Mennonite PIAA 1A Quarterfinal
Heidi Stoltzfus (11) of Lancaster Mennonite passes the ball against Mia Woodard (4) of Oley Valley during PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal action at Cocalico High School’s Talon Field in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
- MARK PALCZEWSKI | LNP Correspondent
- SMS
2021 Oley Valley vs. Lancaster Mennonite PIAA 1A Quarterfinal
Rebecca Lane (18) of Lancaster Mennonite hits the ball against Oley Valley during PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal action at Cocalico High School’s Talon Field in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
- MARK PALCZEWSKI | LNP Correspondent
- SMS
2021 Oley Valley vs. Lancaster Mennonite PIAA 1A Quarterfinal
Hailey Nelson (9) of Lancaster Mennonite heads after the ball against Oley Valley during PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal action at Cocalico High School’s Talon Field in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
- MARK PALCZEWSKI | LNP Correspondent
- SMS
2021 Oley Valley vs. Lancaster Mennonite PIAA 1A Quarterfinal
Lancaster Mennonite’s Lily Good (6) hits the ball up the pitch against Oley Valley during PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal action at Cocalico High School’s Talon Field in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
- MARK PALCZEWSKI | LNP Correspondent
- SMS
2021 Oley Valley vs. Lancaster Mennonite PIAA 1A Quarterfinal
Lily Good (6) of Lancaster Mennonite battles with Mia Woodward (4) of Oley Valley during PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal action at Cocalico High School’s Talon Field in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
- MARK PALCZEWSKI | LNP Correspondent
- SMS
2021 Oley Valley vs. Lancaster Mennonite PIAA 1A Quarterfinal
Lily Good and Charlize Ganse of Lancaster Mennonite wait for Oley Valley to insert the ball on a penalty corner during PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal action at Cocalico High School’s Talon Field in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
- MARK PALCZEWSKI | LNP Correspondent
- SMS
2021 Oley Valley vs. Lancaster Mennonite PIAA 1A Quarterfinal
Sophia Gingrich (20) of Lancaster Mennonite prevents the shot of Mia Woodard (4) of Oley Valley from scoring after the shot got past Heidi Gbotoe (99) during PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal action at Cocalico High School’s Talon Field in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
- MARK PALCZEWSKI | LNP Correspondent
- SMS
2021 Oley Valley vs. Lancaster Mennonite PIAA 1A Quarterfinal
Rebecca Lane (18) of Lancaster Mennonite passes the ball against Oley Valley during PIAA Class 1A quarterfinal action at Cocalico High School’s Talon Field in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
But defending-champion Oley Valley, anchored by goalkeeper Corbin Teeters, denied entry, outlasting the Bubblers 1-1 (5-4 PKs) and ending Boiling Springs’ historic season on a cold, clear night at Ecker Field Tuesday.
District 3 Boys Soccer: Oley Valley outlasts Boiling Springs in PKs
Boiling Springs’ Carson Metzger attempts to stop a penalty kick at the end of their game against Oley Valley in a District 3 Class 2A boys soccer semifinal game Tuesday night at Ecker Field in Boiling Springs.
- Jason Malmont / The Sentinel
Oley Valley’s Nathan Fatkin, front, and Boiling Springs’ Daniel Decker, back, battle for control of the ball during the first half in a District 3 Class 2A boys soccer semifinal game Tuesday night at Ecker Field in Boiling Springs.
- Jason Malmont / The Sentinel
Boiling Springs celebrates after Gavin Rauhut, left, socred a goal in a District 3 Class 2A boys soccer semifinal game against Oley Valley Tuesday night at Ecker Field in Boiling Springs.
- Jason Malmont / The Sentinel
Boiling Springs’ Brady Olson, front, controls the ball in front of Oley Valley’s Josey Williamson, back, during the first half in a District 3 Class 2A boys soccer semifinal game Tuesday night at Ecker Field in Boiling Springs.
- Jason Malmont / The Sentinel
- SMS
- Save
Through 80 minutes of regulation, two 15-minute overtime periods and a series of penalty kicks that extended beyond the standard five rounds, Boiling Springs banged on the door to its second consecutive District 3 Class 2A boys soccer championship game and the program’s first-ever ticket to the state playoffs.
But defending-champion Oley Valley, anchored by goalkeeper Corbin Teeters, denied entry, outlasting the Bubblers 1-1 (5-4 PKs) and ending Boiling Springs’ historic season on a cold, clear night at Ecker Field Tuesday.
Teeters – a game-day decision between the pipes after splitting time with Tyler Drobek throughout the season – turned away 13 shots during 110 minutes. He made two saves in the decisive penalty-kick session, stopping an offering from Eli Rohrbaugh to clinch the semifinal victory for Lynx (16-5-1).
“Corbin came up huge a few times tonight,” said Oley Valley coach Shawn Meals. “I’ve got two guys who’ve been splitting time. I’m not going to lie, on the bus ride up here, I just had kind of a gut feeling and went with Corbin. He came up big.”
“We know that defense, once you get in the circle, they want to step to the ball and pressure you as fast as they can,” Watchilla said. “We practice a lot, sending it in from the outside and cutting in front of the defenders and hopefully getting a touch or a shot on the cage.
Wyoming Seminary blanks Oley Valley to win record 4th straight state title
Ella Barbacci (left) and Maggie Barilla hold up the PIAA State Championship trophy after defeating Oley Valley 6-0 at Whitehall Zephyr Turf Field in Whitehall Township.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
Wyoming Seminary players hold up the PIAA State Championship trophy after defeating Oley Valley 6-0 at Whitehall Zephyr Turf Field in Whitehall Township.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
Wyoming Seminary players celebrate the first goal of the PIAA Class A Championship against Oley Valley in Whitehall Township.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
Wyoming Seminary’s Maddie Olshemski (left) rushes to celebrate the second Seminary goal with Emma Watchilla during the second quarter of the PIAA Class A Championship with Oley Valley Saturday in Whitehall Township.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
Wyoming Seminary’s Ella Barbacci (22) and Emma Watchilla celebrate the third goal of the PIAA Class A Championship Saturday with Oley Valley at Whitehall Township.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
Wyoming Seminary’s Ella Barbacci puts the ball in play on a corner during the fourth quarter of play against Oley Valley Saturday in Whitehall Township for the PIAA Class A Championship.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
WHITEHALL – Field hockey rules restrict scoring to touches inside the offensive circle.
As Wyoming Seminary proved repeatedly in Saturday morning’s Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state championship, that does not keep a team from setting up goals from outside the circle.
The Blue Knights used drives and passes from outside the circle, as well as deflections and quick shot releases from inside, to roll over Oley Valley, 6-0, for their PIAA record fourth straight title.
Wyoming Seminary completed a 23-2, collective-margin romp through the state tournament in which none of its four opponents came closer than four goals.
Unlike the first three rounds, Oley Valley had an edge in penalty corners and kept the shot counts fairly event, but Wyoming Seminary spread the field to both create higher-quality chances and convert them with striking efficiency. On the other end, sophomore goalie Laine Cabell and team season scoring leader Ella Barbacci combined to wipe away all of Oley’s chances – the bulk of which came in two flurries of activity, one while down, 1-0, midway through the second quarter and the other while trying to respond to falling behind by four goals early in the third quarter.
“I’m just so happy right now because I don’t get a lot of action on the post on defensive corners, but I think that’s what I did really well today,” said Barbacci, who broke up several plays and flat-out stopped other scoring chances.
Barbacci played more of a supporting role on a day when Emma Watchilla scored three times and Isabella Pisano scored twice. Barbacci had the other goal, assisted on two and provided two defensive saves along with the six stops by Cabell.
“Laine, for a sophomore, played great in goal,” Wyoming Seminary coach Karen Klassner said after her 741st career victory and 10th state title in 13 championship game appearances.
What created the biggest blowout in PIAA field hockey championship game history, however, was the way Wyoming Seminary scored at seemingly every opportunity.
“I think we played the best game we played all season,” Klassner said. “We saved the best for last.
“ … I think the kids thrived on pressure this year.”
The Blue Knights got it started on a penalty corner with 5:42 left in the first quarter.
Maddie Olshemski sent the insert well outside the top of the circle.
Anna Mozeleski, who finished with three assists, drove the ball back in and Pisano deflected it high into the top left of the cage.
“We do it a lot when we get to states, because the (flyers) coming out on corners are usually so fast that it gives us a little bit of extra time on our corners to do our plays,” Klassner said. “We work a lot on our corners. We feel that is our bread and butter.”
Watchilla scored twice on Barbacci assists in the last 2:59 of the half.
Barbacci drove the ball from just outside the circle and Watchilla tipped it from in front for the 2-0 lead.
“We know that defense, once you get in the circle, they want to step to the ball and pressure you as fast as they can,” Watchilla said. “We practice a lot, sending it in from the outside and cutting in front of the defenders and hopefully getting a touch or a shot on the cage.
“It definitely helped us a lot today.”
With the clock ticking down, Barbacci hurried past the 25-yard line and toward the circle. She sent a lead pass to Barbacci, who swept it into the goal as time expired.
Wyoming Seminary was perhaps at its best in the opening minutes of the second half.
The strong start paid off in the Blue Knights third goal in a span of just over six minutes.
The Blue Knights sent the ball all the way beyond the dotted line five yards outside the circle to begin the penalty corner. Mozeleski then sent a pass in front where Pisano finished with a reverse sweep to make it 4-0.
Wyoming Seminary added two more goals in the fourth quarter.
Barbacci, who scored nine goals in the state tournament, smashed a shot from the right side to score off an Olshemski feed with 6:05 left, sending the game into the Mercy Rule the rest of the way.
The Blue Knights showed one last time how to score while using the whole field – or at least half of it.
Mozeleski sent a long lead pass from near midfield. Watchilla stopped it cleanly just a step inside the circle, wheeled and ripped a hard, low shot with a reverse stick to complete the scoring with 1:40 left.
The title made Wyoming Seminary, the nation’s seventh-ranked team according to both major sets of online rankings, just the second District 2 team in any sport to win four straight titles. The Blue Knights joined the 1994-97 Berwick football teams.
As their teammates received medals, the Blue Knights seniors went to the stadium fence to retrieve their previous gold medals, giving them the opportunity to wear four state gold medals during the remainder of the ceremony.
Seniors Mozeleski, Maggie Barilla, Louise Denning and Nicole Leo were starters on the championship team.
The Blue Knights remain a threat to continue their streak, however, with National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I commits Barbacci (North Carolina), Watchilla (Virginia) and Olshemski (Indiana), the team’s top three scorers, all juniors.
PIAA CLASS A FIELD HOCKEY STATE FINAL
Wyoming Seminary 6, Oley Valley 0
Oley Valley`0`0`0`0` — 0`
Wyoming Seminary`1`2`1`2` — 6`
SCORING – First quarter: 1, SEM, Isabella Pisano (Anna Mozeleski), 5:42. Second quarter: 2, SEM, Emma Watchilla (Ella Barbacci) 2:59; 3, SEM, Watchilla (Barbacci) 0:00. Third quarter: 4, Pisano (Mozeleski), 11:55. Fourth quarter: 5, SEM, Barbacci (Maddie Olshemski), 6:05; 6, SEM, Watchilla (Mozeleski), 1:40. Shots: OV 11, SEM 13.
Goalie saves: OV 3 (Cassidy Drobek), SEM 6 (Laine Cabell). Defensive saves: OV 0, SEM 2 (Barbacci 2). Penalty corners: OV 9, SEM 7.
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