Trojans bolster District 11 position
Elaina Fragassi said that she wants to study elementary education when she begins her college career at Shippensburg University next year. And, yes, she will play some field hockey there, too.
For now, the education of Fragassi and her Parkland High School teammates has been elementary in that they are executing coach Julie Nelson’s simple game plan: try to win each quarter as though it is its own game.
Parkland did that three times Friday afternoon – the Trojans won the second, third and fourth quarters — in a 5-0 nonleague win over Northampton at Joan Kremus Field.
The game did not count in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference standings because the two teams already played earlier this season, but it does count on the District 11 Class 3A table. Parkland (10-11) solidified its position in second place between Emmaus and Easton, while Northampton (9-41) remains in a battle with Nazaeth, Liberty and Stroudsburg for the fourth seed.
Northampton has Pocono Mountain East, Liberty, Bangor and Whitehall coming up. Parkland plays Moravian Academy on Saturday and Lake Lehman on Monday before its final four EPC games, the last two against Emmaus and Easton.
Fragassi scored two goals, one on a penalty stroke, Maya Zaun scored twice, and Lexi Pritchard recorded her third straight shutout and seventh overall.
“We really try to make it a team game, keep the ball moving,” Fragassi said. “We did a really good job moving it up the field and getting around the defenders. Northampton is always a great team. We’re just working each game to grow and get us ready for the next game. We’ve progressed each game. We’re ready for the next challenge.”
After a scoreless first quarter, Zaun got the first goal when she converted on a Fragassi assist. Fragassi made it 2-0 at the half with her first goal with four minutes left.
“Overall, I’m happy with how the girls are playing in general,” Nelson said. “I don’t feel like so far we’ve had a game in which I was disappointed in their play, even against Twin Valley, when we lost 1-0 and played really well. Offensively, we’re being aggressive and following our shots.”
And that is exactly what Northampton coach Carrie Saul was hoping her team would prevent.
“[Parkland] was more tenacious in the circle than we were,” Saul said. “They got some good sticks on the ball at critical times. … Parkland plays a big through game and we were letting that happen in the middle of the game. We need to change our speed. If we want to compete at this level, we need to be stronger in the circle and look for those second, third and fourth efforts rather than hanging back on the ball. We need to attack the ball.”
Pritchard credited defenders Jordan Brunnabend, Rosella Burna and Cecelia Kleckner with making her life easier.
“We rely on each other, so I’m glad they trust me to make those plays,” Pritchard said. “We’re doing really well. We’re working great as a team. We’re just improving every game as much as we can. We can always get better. Nobody’s perfect, but I think we’re playing well.”
Nelson is in her fourth year as Parkland coach, and maybe some of the novelty has worn off, but she is still sifting through some emotions of coaching against her high school coach and former boss, Saul, who coached Nelson as a high-schooler in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.
“It’s difficult because I want my team to be successful and I want to win,” Nelson said. “I also want to make sure I’m being respectful and respecting somebody [Saul] who taught me a lot about the game as a player and as a coach. I have a lot of respect for her, so beating her has a bittersweet feeling.”
Parkland 0 2 1 2 — 5
Northampton 0 0 0 0 — 0
Parkland goals: Maya Zaun 2, Elaina Fragassi 2 (one penalty stroke), Brynn Harrison. Assist: Fragassi. Shots: 12. Penalty corners: 7. Saves: Lexi Pritchard 3.