Gormely, Springfield unstoppable in states opener
EMMAUS — Springfield’s coaching staff wouldn’t allow its girls lacrosse team to take Friday’s first-round states game lightly. Even if it came after a four-day and two-site wait to get underway, even if on paper the runner-up in District 1 Class 2A would be the sizeable favorite.
But with the weather-condensed schedule, the two aims went hand in hand Friday afternoon at Emmaus High School: The quicker the Cougars got a jump on District 11 champion Saucon Valley, the quicker their starters would get a rest and turn their attention to the quick turnaround for Saturday’s quarterfinal.
It was job done for the Cougars in an 18-8 decision, a deceptively close final margin in which the Cougars triggered the running clock within 15 minutes of game action, led 12-1 at the half and were in control throughout. By the time Saucon Valley got its first possession in the Springfield attacking third, the Cougars had already pumped home eight goals.
“I think our main goal was to go out strong, not take any team lightly regardless of what we’ve heard, and come out really strong,” attacker Olivia Pace said. “I think we did a really good job of that today because no matter what you hear, you can’t take any team lightly. As long as we go out and score a bunch of goals, it’s really fun.”
Mission accomplished there. Erin Gormley led the scoring parade with six goals, a career-high. Pace scored three goals to go with an assist, and Alyssa Long and Julie Schickling added three goals apiece.
After all the waiting — the game was originally scheduled for Tuesday at Northampton High School, then Wednesday at Emmaus, then postponed Thursday before either team hit the road — it was a sufficiently workmanlike performance. And it was one that allowed Springfield (17-6) to substitute liberally from the middle of the first half on, giving their starters’ legs a break ahead of Saturday’s meeting with District 3’s Cocalico (Exeter, 3 p.m.).
“It was a bit frustrating because we really wanted to get out there and play and have the time to practice before our next game,” Pace said. “We got really excited for today and were so excited for this game that we came out really strong and played really well.”
Springfield scores 4 times on a yellow card. This from Olivia Pace to Meghan Cull was the prettiest. 8-0 Springfield pic.twitter.com/Vatf8kVhqg
— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) May 31, 2019
Gormley’s contributions were especially valuable. The junior went from being a low defender as a freshman to stepping up into midfield as a sophomore. This year, she’s taken a more active role in the attacking half, and it’s shown with 51 goals.
It’s a similar evolution as what classmate Long underwent, and the two have had each other to lean on in the process.
“We’ve been playing together since we were little kids, so we bounce ideas off each other,” Gormley said. “We work really well together.”
Friday’s primary method was simple: Speed. Once a Saucon Valley defender was flat-footed, she was as good as beaten. It applied on draws, too, where Springfield won seven of the first eight and 16 of 27 for the game. Long had a game-high six DCs, while Gormley and Belle Mastropietro (goal, two assists) added three each. Casey O’Connor had four.
“I think we transitioned really well as a team,” Gormley said. “We worked really well together and our defense really closed space. We looked for cutters in the middle really well.”
Gormley tallied a hat trick as Springfield dashed off the first 10 goals of the game. Maria Donahue got Saucon Valley (17-2) on the board, but Long completed her hat trick and Gormley supplied a fourth to make it 12-1 at the break.
Gormley scored twice in the first five minutes of the second, and a Schickling goal gave the Cougars their largest lead at 16-3. The Panthers, though, didn’t give up, scoring four straight until some of Springfield’s starters platooned back in and goals by Pace and Meghan Cull made it 18-7.
Camryn Zavacky led the way with two goals and an assist, Kathrine Naiburg scored twice and Kiele Riefenstahl added a goal and two helpers for the Panthers, who got eight saves from a resilient Audrey Holland in goal.
But there was no stopping Gormley and company, who were raring to go after such a long wait. And for Gormley in particular, the newfound offensive production has only added to the anticipation of each game.
“I think it’s a lot more fun, and being on the opposite side of the field and working with the other players, too,” she said. “It’s just a lot more fun.”
