Warriors capitalize on chances

HAZLETON – Their opportunities were few, but the Warriors of Delaware Valley made the most of them.

The No. 5 seed Warriors scored two goals 4:31 apart late in the first half to stun No. 4 seed Hazleton Area 2-0 in the first round of the District 2 Class 3A field hockey tournament.

When we score, we get fired up. Once we get one, we want more, Delaware Valley goalie Grace Cadigan said. We really executed. All of the seniors are happy to get to continue playing.

The win sends Delaware Valley on to face No. 1 seed Coughlin on Wednesday at 4 p.m. in Wilkes-Barre. The Crusaders dominated their regular season meeting, outshooting the Warriors 26-2, but came away with just a 1-0 win Sept. 26 at Guthrie Field.

But that doesn't matter to Del Val, which avenged a 3-0 loss at Hazleton Area on Oct. 9 with Monday's shutout at Harman-Geist Stadium.

The Cougars dominated the first 10 minutes of play and had all five penalty corners in the first half. Coming off the final corner, where Madison Reed set up Kara Sanford at the post only to see Sanford's shot turned aside by Cadigan, the Warriors got their first scoring chance.

I'm so impressed with Grace, Warriors coach Lindsay Sabo said. She had to wait behind Faith Torkildsen (an All-State honorable mention last season), so this is her first year as the varsity goalie. She played a great game tonight.

An outlet found Payton Padgett upfield and she was sprung free behind the Cougars defense. Charging in on goal on a breakaway, Padgett slid the ball past keeper Kaitlyn McHugh for a 1-0 lead with five minutes left in the half.

We had plenty of opportunities. We just couldn't finish tonight, said Hazleton Area coach Mary Kelly after her team enjoyed a 16-5 advantage in shots. (The early domination) was very frustrating. We've had a couple of games like that where we just didn't capitalize.

Del Val scored on its second shot of the game as well, as Alyssa Depadua took a pass from Rihannon Hausenauer on the left wing, spun and scored from 7 yards out with 30 seconds remaining in the first half.

Cadigan turned aside 12 shots to earn the win in goal. While Hazleton Area has one of the WVC's top scorers in Selena Garzio, and plenty of quality talent along with her, the Warriors' defensive backs, especially Gabby Noto and Hallie McClain, helped keep threats to a minimum.

She's a great player, Cadigan said of Garzio, who had 21 goals this season.

We knew we had to mark her. She's only a sophomore but she's got great skill. Our defense handled them and made it easy on me.

Delaware Valley is now 3-4 under Sabo in the postseason, and 6-3 this season when scoring a goal.

The game Monday was the first district playoff game Hazleton Area had played as host.

Delaware Valley 2, Hazleton Area 0

First half: 1. DV, Payton Padgett, 5:01; 2. DV, Alyssa Depadua (Rihannon Hausemauer), :30.

Shots: DV 5, HAZ 16; Saves: DV 12 (Grace Cadigan), HAZ 1 (Kaitlyn McHugh); Corners: DV 2, HAZ 8.

Cheyenne Hunsinger collected a goal and two assists as Tunkhannock closed its season with a win on the road.

Marley Mason added a goal and an assist for the Tigers.

First half: 1. TUN, Haylee Underwood (Becky O'Neill), 12:04; 2. TUN, Cheyenne Hunsinger (Marley Mason), 2:44. Second half: 3. TUN, Paige Greenley (Taylor Nowles), 24:35; 4. TUN, Liz Franko (Hunsinger), 17:32; 5. MON, Mayana Trecoske (Maria Phillips), 9:21; 6. TUN, Mason (Hunsinger), 9:19

Shots: TUN 33, MON 12; Saves: TUN 11 (Mary Sickler, Dana Kuffa), MON 23 (Audra Everitt); Corners: TUN 17, MON 7.

Nicole Chaiko provided the difference maker for Pittston Area as the Patriots scored the win in overtime.

First overtime: 1. PA Nicole Chaiko.

Shots: PA 17, EL 7; Saves: PA 7 (Lea Garibaldi), EL 16 (Brooke Seamans); Corners: PA 9, EL 7.