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First Posted: 9/25/2013

WEST PITTSTON — It seemed every time Wyoming Area needed a lift, the Warriors had someone step up.

That little extra was enough for the Warriors to take a 1-0 victory over Lackawanna Trail in a WVC Division 1 field hockey crossover game Wednesday.

“We’re glad we won, but we’re not completely satisfied,” Warriors coach Lunda Comiskey said. “There’s still some things to work on.”

Both teams are battling for playoff position. Wyoming Area (4-5) remains sixth in Class 2A while gaining ground. The Lions stay two wins ahead of Delaware Valley and Wallenpapack for the final playoff spot in Class 3A.

“Sometimes we were passive with our opponents in the circle,” Lackawanna Trail coach Katie Snyder said. “We have to be fast to the ball and be aggressive to the ball. Even with a loss, though, this is a good learning experience. There’s a lot (of season) still to go.”

Bree Bednarski scored the game’s lone goal on a hustling play in the 25th minute. After Abby Thornton fired a shot from the top of the circle, Trail keeper Kerrigan Buck stacked her leg pads to make the initial save. The rebound came to Grace Angelella, who quickly dished to Bednarski.

The sophomore charged past the goalie and another defender toward the post and fired a shot into the goal for a 1-0 lead.

“Bree has brought an intensity on the field,” Comiskey said. “She’s demanding the ball come to her with her play and she’s lifting the rest of the forwards to play with greater intensity.”

That was all Wyoming Area goalie Christina Granteed would need. The junior was tested just once in the first half, but it was as challenging of an opportunity as she will likely face all season.

A clearing pass that was fired upfield by a Lackawanna Trail defender took a strange hop on the grass to elude the Warriors defensive backs. The Lions’ Daria Lewandowski, one of their top scorers, was first to the ball and was charging in on a breakaway. Granteed came out toward the top of the circle and made a sliding stop on the Trail junior.

“You’ve got to stay prepared,” Granteed said of her first opportunity 11 minutes in. “I’m thinking, against her, it’s just the two of us. You’ve got to go at it for your team and make the save. I knew, too, that if I didn’t get it, my defense would have gotten there for me.”

In the second half, Granteed continued to shine en route to her second shutout of the season. She faced three Trail corners and ended up with four saves in the half, stopping Jordan Laytos on a pair of chances on the doorstep, Nicole Rosa on the Lions’ best corner of the day and Maddy Lee at the far post on a long cross with 75 seconds to play.

“It’s different,” Granteed said of being busy in the second half after a first half of little activity. “In the first half, you’re coming off warmups so you’re ready. You’re not warmed up when you’ve waited a long time like that. But you’ve got to stay in the game mentally. That’s what keeps you ready.”

Wyoming Area was not able to entend its lead, though, as Buck was also a wall in goal. The junior, in her first year as a starter, made 17 saves, her second-highest total of the season. A number of the stops could be classified as more than routine.

“Our defense has been pretty fantastic,” Snyder said. “They’ve done a relaly good job this year. We haven’t had a lot of goals scored against us. (Kerrigan) was awesome. She had 17 saves. This was one of her best games … she was aggressive and didn’t let up on the ball.”

Wyoming Area 1, Lackawanna Trail 0

Lackawanna Trail`0`0`—`0

Wyoming Area`1`0`—`1

First half — 1. WA, Bree Bednarski (Grace Angelella), 5:32.

Shots — LT 5; WA 19. Saves — LT 17 (Kerrigan Buck); WA 5 (Chrisina Granteed). Penalty corners — LT 4. WA 7.

***

Wyoming Seminary 1, Dallas 1, OT

The Blue Knights and Mountaineers played a scoreless first half, then traded goals to forge a tie.

Mallory Lefkowicz scored for Wyoming Seminary, which remains second in WVC 1-2A at 6-1-1.

Michelle Thompson countered for Dallas, which is fifth in 1-2A with a 4-4-1 record.

Hazleton Area 3, Nanticoke 0

Selena Garzio recorded two goals in the Cougars’ shutout win.

Lauren Blakely contributed one goal for Hazleton Area (6-2 in WVC 1-3A).

Coughlin 2, Delaware Valley 1, OT

Senior Kyra Castano scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to lead Coughlin (7-1, first in WVC 1-3A) to a win.

Freshman Maecy Chlebowski scored a goal for Delaware Valley, which remains sixth in 1-3A at 1-7.

Holy Redeemer 3, Honesdale 0

The Royals recieved one goal and one assist each from Greta Ell and Melanie Musakavitch in the shutout win.

Jenn Ringsdorf added a goal for Redeemer (5-3-1 in 1-2A), while Mallory Kusakavitch contrbuted one assist.

Wyoming Valley West 7, Abington Heights 0

Danielle Grega totaled four goals and one assist in the Spartans (7-2, second in WVC 1-3A) shutout victory over the Comets.

Alex Gonda contributed one goal and two assists, while Megan Kane had one goal and one assist.

***

Wyoming Valley West 7, Abington Heights 0

Abington Heights`0`0`—`0

Wyoming Valley West`3`4`—`7

First half — 1. WVW, Danielle Grega, 21:22; 2. WVW, Grega (Julia Usefara), 12:35; 3. WVW, Megan Kane (Alex Gonda), :22; Second half — 4. WVW, Grega (Katie Lipski), 25:08; 5. WVW, Kane (Grega), 21:59; 6. WVW, Grega (Gonda), 19:28; 7. WVW, Gonda (Wynter Libby), 7:35.

Shots — AH 1; WVW 22. Saves — AH 14 (Claire Notarianni); WVW 0 (Alicia Moore). Penalty corners — AH 2; WVW 13.

Coughlin 2, Delaware Valley 1, OT

Coughlin`1`1`1—`3

Delaware Valley`0`1`0—`1

First half — 1. COU, Kyra Castano (Brigid Wood), 9:30; Second half — 2. DV, Maecy Chlebowski, 26:25; Overtime — 3. COU, Castano (Brigid Wood), 4:15

Shots — COU 16; DV 6. Saves — COU 5 (M’Kensie Lee); DV 14 (Eileen D’Auria). Penalty corners — COU 9; DV 3.

Hazleton Area 3, Nanticoke 0

Hazleton Area`2`1`—`3

Nanticoke`0`0`—`0

First half — 1. HAZ, Selena Garzio (Madison Reed), 18:35; 2. HAZ, Lauren Blakely (Victoria Middleton), 28:25; Second half — 3. HAZ, Garzio, 7:03.

Shots —HAZ 10; NAN 4. Saves — HAZ 2 (Margaret Fulton); NAN 4 (Maddie O’Donahue). Penalty corners — HAZ 5; NAN 4.

Holy Redeemer 3, Honesdale 0

Honesdale`0`0`—`0

Holy Redeemer`1`2`—`3

First half — 1. HR, Greta Ell (Mallory Kusakavitch), 23:57; Second half — 2. HR, Jenn Ringsdorf (Melanie Kusakavitch), 17:45; 3. HR, Melanie Kusakavitch (Ell), 15:52.

Shots — HON 4; HR 20. Saves — HON 8 (Mackenzie Jackson); HR 4 (Holly Slowik). Penalty corners — HON 1; HR 9.

Wyoming Seminary 1, Dallas 1, OT

Wyoming Seminary`0`1`0`—`1

Dallas`0`1`0`—`1

Second half — 1. SEM, Mallory Lefkowicz (Morgan Malone), 24:58; 2. DAL, Michelle Thompson, 6:05

Shots — SEM 5; DAL 12. Saves — SEM 8 (McKenzie Gagliardi); DAL 4 (Lily Amadio). Penalty corners — SEM 3; DAL 3.