TIP OF THE PATS

Germantown Academy scores on three deflections, advances past Hill School in PAISAA semifinals

WHITEMARSH >> Germantown Academy knew what to work on heading into their PAISAA semifinal matchup with The Hill School.

The Patriots wanted to get penalty corners and redirect balls inside the circle.

They scored three times on corners — all tipped at the last second — to advance past Hill, 3-1, Wednesday afternoon at Oberkircher Field on the campus of Germantown Academy.

Captain Sammy Popper assisted all three goals.

“We actually did (work on deflections) yesterday, which is funny,” Popper said. “We did a lot of tipping stuff yesterday, but normally we don’t really work on it that much. One of our philosophies is never giving up in the circle. One of our coaches says, ‘Fire in the belly’ in the circle, kind of like whatever is in front of the goal, we just make sure it gets in the goal.”

The first came just 104 seconds into the game. The Patriots earned a penalty corner —

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GENE WALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Germantown Academy’s Sophie Towne reaches up to knock the ball into the net during their PAISAA semifinal against The Hill School Wednesday.