The Pennsbury Falcons traveled to Neshaminy to battle it out for a second time this season, but this time it felt very different. The bus didn't take it's normal right hand turn off the long drive to drop the PHS players off at the famous front grass field named for former coach, Sheila Murphy. This time the bus turned left and headed to the stadium turf - the new home of the Skins team. "I believe the new setting was actually helpful for our girls as they historically have a mental block when they step foot on that grass field," explained PHS Coach, Traci Curtis. "The turf location allowed us to view this game as any other and not make the association that puts obstacles in our mental preparation. Our girls were ready, excited, and more confident than ever." The night was a special one for the whole Neshaminy family as the 1983 State Championship team was being honored before the game. Instead of a distraction, it was a welcomed pomp and circumstance for Curtis, a Neshaminy field hockey alum herself. "I was grateful that the ceremony was planned for our game night. I loved seeing those players being honored along with my high school coach. My time playing at Neshaminy were some of the best years of my life and helped to shape me into who I am today - it is rooted in who I am. My greatest wish is that my players feel that same level of connection and impact years from now when they think of Pennsbury field hockey," said Curtis. Once the game began, the fight was on. Pennsbury fell 6-0 the first time they played back on August 30th - tonight they arrived as a completely different team. Neshaminy scored halfway through the first quarter to go up 1-0 and that score remained until the last five minutes of the second quarter when the Skins squeaked in 2 more goals sending PHS into halftime down 3-0. "Our girls were fighting hard and doing extremely well on both sides of the ball. We could not have asked for more effort, heart, skill, and unity from them. What made us most proud was the confidence they were showing - we were winning the small moments and those little victories mean a lot to us." The third quarter was scoreless for both teams and the pace just kept increasing at every turn. "We had some opportunities and were creating some really nice offensive pushes, but Neshaminy's defense is tough and we could not finish the few times we got really close," said Curtis. Despite the scoring draught, Curtis was completely happy with holding such a powerful force to three goals for as long as they did. The fourth goal came with only 24 seconds left until the final buzzer. Kasey Rieger, one of Neshaminy's strongest scorers, lifted the ball past the PHS goalie to add one and close out the win 4-0. "The first time we played them Rieger scored 3 on us, tonight she scored 1. Those are the winning pieces we take away with us. We are a better team than when we started - we have gotten so much smarter." Pennsbury's goalie, Kayla Shaffer, faced 10 penalty corners and 19 really strong shots on goal holding her own and protecting the cage with strength. Senior, Gabby Darling, Freshman, Cailyn Reilly, and Senior, Riley Henderson were a fierce threesome in the backfield. Freshmen, Ryan Burdette and Abby Iacona worked like mad on the offense to create opportunities. Juniors, Ava Jordan, Angelina Kenney, and Olivia Coen contributed a ton of effort in their roles. Senior, Kaylin Flannery had some beautiful anticipations and interceptions on defense. Seniors, Chelsea Todd and Rylie Borgman showed great focus and tenacity tonight while juniors, Riley Askey and Avalee Shumski came in and did what was asked of them. "We are walking away from this one super proud. Our focus this week was on making sure we keep the FUN in what we are doing each and every day out here. We continue to make each other laugh and that is so important to help take the sting out of our stream of losses. This gave us a spark that will carry us into these final weeks of the season." Pennsbury travels to Hatboro Horsham on Friday and then Truman on Monday.