West Chester Henderson begins district title defense with win over Wissahickon

WEST CHESTER – Once West Chester Henderson, the defending District 1 Class AAA field hockey champions, started the first round of this year’s title chase, the atmosphere was a little different.

The team that took the field was quite different from last season.

But even with as many as four freshmen in the lineup against No. 24 Wissahickon, the No. 9 Warriors looked like they are ready to make another run, executing on both ends of the field in posting a 3-0 shutout victory in the first round of the District 1 Class AAA playoffs Monday afternoon.

“We were really kind of scared coming in, with a mostly new team,’ said Henderson goalie Rachel Bliss. “We weren’t really sure what to expect. But once we got that first goal, it kind of calmed our nerves and we just played the way we know we can play.’

The first goal came a little less than nine minutes in. Awarded a penalty corner, the Warriors converted, with Kasey Collins getting the assist on a goal from Emma Betrando.

Henderson’s execution on penalty corners was fantastic all afternoon, with all three scores coming from corners. Goal number two came when Brianna Bolon scored on an assist from Susannah Pitt.

“Our corners went smoothly,’ said Bolon. “I wasn’t sure the last one was going to work, since we’d gone to it so many times. But if you’re executing well, sometimes you can just power through it even though they know it’s coming.’

The final goal of the day came just after Wissahickon was showing signs of life, forcing a few corners of its own. But the Warriors got the ball back down to the circle and forced another corner with 5:10 to play.

Bolon put the ball in play on the insert, sending it to Betrando at the top of the circle, then shifted over to the post. Betrando sent it towards the cage, where Bolon was waiting. Bolon shot, and Kasey Collins grabbed the rebound and slipped it in to give the Warriors the 3-0 advantage.

“We have been really good on corners all year, and I’m not even sure I can explain it,’ said Henderson head coach Jen O’Donnell. “We are scoring a ton of goals on corners. We’re playing hard, forcing the corners and executing to take advantage of them. That’s what I keep saying: play hard and execute.’

Just as important as seeing three different players score was seeing the zero on the scoreboard for Wissahickon.

Bliss had eight saves on the afternoon, with Madison Lampe credited with a defensive save, as the Warriors outshot Wissahickon 26-9.

“We all support each other so well,’ said Bliss. “Madison had a great game, Meg (Costa), Jordan (Bauer), Ryann (Bauer), all of my teammates did great. We’re really starting to put things together as a team.’

No small part in helping shorten the learning curve comes in playing the schedule Henderson plays, especially in the Ches-Mont League.

“We have five of the top-10 teams in the district from the Ches-Mont,’ said O’Donnell. “Every game we play in the National Division is a tough game. Our play during the season is tough, and it is helped prepare us for the kind of games we’re going to see now.’

Up next for the Warriors is a quick trip up Route 202 for a showdown with No. 8 Conestoga, an 8-0 winner over Harriton in its first round game.

“This team is starting to believe in themselves,’ said O’Donnell. “They are starting to develop their own confidence, both as individuals, and as a team. It’s great to see. We’ll see how far we can take this.’