Villa Maria field hockey thwarted in state quarterfinals
ELVERSON—High school sports can be an emotional roller coaster. On a cold, blustery Saturday afternoon at Twin Valley High School in the PIAA, Class AA quarterfinals, the Villa Maria field hockey team went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in little more than a heartbeat.
A little more than three minutes into the seven-on-seven overtime period against Palmyra, Adele Iacobucci unleashed a rocket from just outside the circle. Megan Dillon appeared to get her stick on it enough to deflect it over the Palmyra goalie’s glove, and into the back of the cage for the apparent game winner.
But before the Hurricanes could even process what happened and begin to celebrate, the officials ruled that Iacobucci’s shot made it through unscathed, with no deflection, and wiped away the score. Shortly thereafter, Palmyra’s Mia Julian notched her second goal of the game, and the Cougars advance to Tuesday’s semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over the Hurricanes.
“I believe Megan got her stick on that, and it was horrible to see that decision,” said Villa coach Katie Evans. “But it can’t come down to one call. We had plenty of opportunities in this game. It’s just a heartbreaking way to see the season end.”
The Hurricanes got on the board first. Just before five minutes had ticked off the clock, Hannah Miller brought the ball up the right side, then charged across the circle, and blasted a backhanded shot off the back of the cage for a 1-0 lead.
Villa dominated the rest of the half, forcing six penalty corners in the half, with just two for the Cougars, and outshot Palmyra 5-1 in that span. But the Cougars made that one shot count, with Julian tying the game at a goal apiece at the 14:41 mark.
The Cougars offense picked up the pace in the second half, and the two teams were roughly even in both corners and saves for the rest of regulation. But despite ample opportunities coming on both ends of the field, neither team could solve the others defensive units, and the game headed to overtime.
“You can’t take anything for granted,” said Evans. “Even if you’re controlling possessions, you’ve got to be able to finish and put the game away. We had it in our hands today, and just let it slip.”
Villa’s chances at a third straight trip to the state title game vanished with the apparent game-winning goal, but the Hurricanes, who finish the season with a record of 18-3, have plenty to be proud of in the first-season with Evans at the helm. Yet another District 1 championship trophy made its way into the trophy case in Malvern, along with another AACA crown.
“This group of girls is going to live in my heart forever,” said Evans. “To come back to Villa and be lucky enough to have this group of girls as my first team is special. They have taught me as much as I have taught them.”
Palmyra 1 0 1—2
Villa Maria 1 0 0—1
Goals: Julian (2), Miller
Goalie Saves: Byrd (PAL) 6, Zarkowski (VM) 2
