High School Field Hockey

H.S. FIELD HOCKEY

November 5, 2009

One is enough to boost Coughlin

The Crusaders captured the District 2 Class 3A title on senior Angie McClosky’s goal.

By Dave Konopki dkonopki@timesleader.com
Assistant Sports Editor

WRIGHT TWP. — Angie McClosky’s heart was pounding in anticipation as the ball quickly approached her field hockey stick.

Moments later, her heart was pounding for a different reason.

The Coughlin senior scored the game’s only goal with 10:24 remaining, as the Crusaders captured their fifth District 2 Class 3A championship with a 1-0 win against Wyoming Valley West on Wednesday night at Crestwood High School.

Coughlin (11-7) will host the No. 3 seed from District 3 in the first round of the PIAA Class 3A playoffs Tuesday night at a time and place to be determined. Valley West ends its season at 12-5.

With the teams battling late in the second half of a scoreless tie, Gianna Handza was awarded a free hit and sent a perfect pass to McClosky, who blasted a shot into the back of the cage.

McClosky said she tried to stay low and focus on the ball and it made its way toward her.

It wasn’t easy.

“My heart was pounding out of my chest,” McClosky said. “I just imagined me hitting the ball into the goal. I just wanted it so bad. After I made it, everyone was jumping all over me, attacking me. It was incredible. We wanted this so bad.”

The Crusaders won four consecutive district championships under head coach Colleen Wood before Lackawanna Trail ended the streak last season. The Coughlin coach says winning never gets old.

“Each year is a different group of kids,” Wood said. “I’m really proud of them. They played hard.”

A few weeks ago, winning a district championship was the furthest thing on the minds of the Crusaders, who lost five consecutive games after jumping out to a 6-0 start. Three of those losses came against teams such as Delaware Valley, Holy Redeemer and Wyoming Area.

“We lost a ton of kids from last season. We only had three starters back,” Wood said. “You try to get the girls to realize how important it is to work together. That’s the only way you’re going to win. The girls really stepped it up.”

The Coughlin defense and midfield held the Spartans to just four shots on goal, all of which were stopped by goalkeeper Stephanie Engle. Valley West goalkeeper Kristie Rollman kept her team in the game by stopping 11 of the 12 shots she faced.

“Everyone played well. Everyone put it on the line,” Valley West head coach Linda Fithian said.

“Our passes were a little out of sync. At halftime, we told everyone to make it simple and try to bring it back together again. Coughlin is a tough team to play against. They’re very physical and hard-hitting.”

The Coughlin players were playing with heavy hearts following the recent passing away of Elizabeth Breese, longtime Coughlin junior high school field hockey coach. The funeral was held Wednesday.

“This win really means a lot,” said Handza, a senior.

“We wanted to win it for our junior high coach.

“This win is definitely for her.”

DISTRICT 2 CLASS 2A CHAMPIONSHIP

Two of the top field hockey programs in the state meet tonight with a district championship and a berth in the state playoffs on the line when Wyoming Seminary and Crestwood battle for the District 2 Class 2A title at 6 p.m. at Spartan Stadium.

Wyoming Seminary (17-0) enters the game as the defending district and state Class 2A champion, as well as the only undefeated team in District 2.

Crestwood enters the game with a 16-1 record, the only loss coming against the Blue Knights, 2-1, three weeks ago.

 

District 2 Class 3A championship

Coughlin 1, Wyoming Valley West 0

Coughlin			0	1	—	1
Wyoming Valley West			0	0	—	0

Second half: 1. COU, Angie McClosky (Gianna Handza) 10:39.

Shots: COU 12, WVW 4; Saves: COU 4 (Stephanie Engle), WVW 11 (Kristie Rollman); Corners: COU 9, WVW 4.

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