Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Indians claim district title
West Chester’s Mike Doty dives in for a touchdown in the first quarter against Cheyney on Saturday. AMBLER >> It was the third time in four years that Unionville was at Wissahickon High School playing for the District 1 Class AAA field hockey crown. The first two triops brought nothing but heartache, as Unionville had to settle for runner-up finishes each time, most recently, falling to Central Bucks South in overtime in 2012.
This year, though, the Indians came in as the number one seed and plowed through the competitition like a team on a mission. They had a chance Saturday to exact some revenge on Central Bucks South in the process.
Unionville came out of the gate on fire and never let up, capturing the championship with a 3-1 victory over the Titans.
“I was watching for scores of South’s semifinal,” said Unionville coach Beth Lynch. “I was excited to see that they won and we’d be playing them. The sting of the loss two years ago was still with us. This was a great win.”
Though the Indians dominated possession in the early going, they simply couldn’t get one in the back of the cage, and the first twenty minutes passed without a score.
That finally changed when the Indians began to pepper Titan goalie Sarah Zesastarski with shots, Logan Perkins converted on a rebound on the last one, slamming it home for the game’s initial goal.
“That goal just felt so good, because we were finally playing in a district championship game now a playoff game, and WCU apwith a lead,” said Perkins. “Our parently listened and responded confidence level soared after that with a 58-0 record-shattering and we all knew we’d be getting laugher against the troubled more.” WEST GOSHEN >> If there was ever Wolves on Senior Day. It didn’t take long at all for a day for an emotional letdown “We just couldn’t wait to get more to come, either. A mere 53 on the football field, Saturday back on the field after last week,” seconds later, Erin Matson took was probably it for West Chester. admitted senior cornerback Ala pass from Annie McDonough, Just seven days after a disheartHajj Shabazz. “We just told the drawing the goalie out of the cage. ening 31-point loss in a showdown young guys to come out and play Matson put a nifty little move get of unbeatens at Bloomsburg, the this one for the seniors and everyaround Zesastarski to score for a Golden Rams were hosting winbody did. But the bad taste won’t 2-0 advantage. less Cheyney under miserable be fully gone until we get another “We were determined to get conditions in front of a sparse shot at (Bloomsburg).” back quickly,” said Perkins. “I crowd at Farrell Stadium. Sitting at No. 4 in the most rewasn’t surprised we’d get it so
Poor weather is usually an cent Super Region One rankings, soon. That’s the kind of team we equalizer, and this cross-county the Rams (7-1, 8-1 overall) could are. We know we can do it. But clash was played in a driving rain, get a first round home game in it was nice to get that second goal with temperatures inin.”themidthe upcoming NCAA Division II 40s. But head coach Bill Zwaan Playoffs if they are able to hold Unionville tacked on one more is preaching that every outing is
goal midway through the second. Awarded a penalty corner, Matson put the ball in play on the insert, sending it to Izzy McDonough at the top of the circle. McDonough unleased a bullet towards the cage, where younger sister Annie tipped it in for the score.
The Titans didn’t get on the board until 10 minutes remained as Corrine Kenney broke up the shutout. South gave it a final push and forced a number of corners down the stretch, but Unionville’s defense was up to the task, with Maddie McDonough registering a couple of defensive saves, and goalie Sarah O’Neill rejecting everything else. O’Neill finished with four saves.
“It just feels so good to finish on top,” said Izzy McDonough, a Univesrity of Virginia recruit. “Freshman and sophomore year coming up short hurt. It’s great to finally win. I think this is just going to help us as we move on, too. Now we know we can win these big games against tough teams.”
Unionville begins its states march Tuesday against District 3 fourthplace finisher Cumberland Valley at a stite and time to be determined.