The Cougars played their hearts out against Villa Maria in the PIAA Class 2A championship game, but fell to the Hurricanes, 3-1, at Cumberland Valley’s Chapman Field.
“I thought the kids played just as hard as they could play,” Palmyra coach Kent Harshman said. “As I told them, it’s never a matter of effort with our kids. Maybe the execution’s off a little bit. It’s never a matter of effort.”
The Cougars were looking to take the momentum early, and they did just that. With 1 minute, 35 seconds left in the first quarter, Palmyra was awarded a penalty corner. The ball was played into the circle and found its way to the left side of the cage. Cougars junior midfielder Mallory Hudson got her stick on the ball, flicked it to Palmyra junior forward Hadley Hoffsmith, who knocked it into the cage inside the left post for a 1-0 Cougars lead.
Mallory Hudson (28) shoots the ball past Gabby Balzano (10). The Palmyra Cougars and the Villa Maria Academy Hurricanes played for the PIAA Class 2A field hockey championship on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Cumberland Valley's Chapman Field. The Hurricanes defeated the Cougars, 3-1.
“I think, definitely, we wanted to score early because it takes a little bit of the pressure off,” Hoffsmith said. “We practiced our corners a lot this week, and Mallory tapped the ball. She saw me on post, and I just tucked it in. There was definitely excitement and also a little bit of relief because, as I said, scoring first takes a little bit of the pressure off. I think that just kind of set the momentum. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out the way we wanted to.”
Palmyra took that momentum deep into the third quarter, but Villa turned the tables by tying the game with 1:48 left in the third quarter on a goal by junior Erin Mitchell.
The Cougars tried to convert corner after corner – they had eight in all and six in the second half – but the Hurricanes turned them away. A goal by junior Lauren Kurek with just 4:30 left in the game gave Villa the lead and an insurance goal by junior Ella Cellini sealed the victory.
Leigha Kane (17) hugs Kent Harshman after receiving her silver medal. The Palmyra Cougars and the Villa Maria Academy Hurricanes played for the PIAA Class 2A field hockey championship on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Cumberland Valley's Chapman Field. The Hurricanes defeated the Cougars, 3-1.
“I think it’s very disappointing just because it’s our last year as a group together, and we’re all really close,” Hoffsmith said. “But with all that, I think we did have a great season.”
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Game balls
Hadley Hoffsmith, Palmyra forward. With 1:35 left in the first quarter, Hoffsmith positioned herself in front of the cage on a penalty corner. The ball came into the circle and was found by Mallory Hudson. She chipped it to Hoffsmith, who did not miss and scored the first goal of the game inside the left post.
Caitlin Connell, Villa Maria midfielder. The ultra-talented sophomore assisted on Villa’s first two goals. The first assist helped tie the game and the second assist led to the eventual game-winning goal by Hurricane junior Lauren Kurek with 4:30 left in the game.
Keely Bowers (27) moves the ball up the sideline past Gabby Balzano (10). The Palmyra Cougars and the Villa Maria Academy Hurricanes played for the PIAA Class 2A field hockey championship on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Cumberland Valley's Chapman Field. The Hurricanes defeated the Cougars, 3-1.