Don't let the score fool you, as the numbers never tell the whole story. For the Pennsbury Falcons, there was success in the details, winning in many moments, and a discovery of confidence that may just be the gift that keeps on giving. And ironic as it may seem to those looking on the surface and seeing only the score, the Falcons' senior goalie, Kayla Shaffer, had her best game yet and was the recipient of the team's game day RAISE THE BAR honor. North Penn is always a force to be reckoned with - they are so fast, smart, and skilled all over the field. They play hard and are lethal individually and as a unit. Pennsbury knew what they were up against and they proved they were ready to battle. Our starting eleven chosen for this game took the field focused and prepared and put together a first quarter like no other. Head coach, Traci Curtis, describes the fifteen minutes with a smile. "Our girls took charge, played smart, passed beautifully, and were patient on defense. We actually scored the first goal of the game, but had it called back for an apparent foul that occurred as the ball was crossing the line. Despite the call back, we were ecstatic with how our girls were showing up and proving their worth. North Penn was without a doubt caught off guard that first quarter and that was a winning moment for us. Our goalie, Kayla Shaffer, was protecting her cage confidently and took her agility to the next level with first and second shot saves. They were shooting from all different heights and angles and Kayla handled it wonderfully." The game was 0-0 going into the second quarter and the orange and black could not have been more proud. Things changed a bit in the next fifteen minutes as North Penn did what any great team would do - they made significant adjustments to their play and took over. North Penn went up 1-0 after converting on a penalty stroke called during a play inside the circle. "We were still playing well and working hard, but we let down in some key areas that we had talked about pre-game. We started to chase them instead of holding the space and being patient, we didn't take away lanes, and we began to panic," explains Curtis. We let them rattle us and forgot about that opening quarter. "It's all part of the learning process though and despite the handful of goals the Knights put up in the second, our girls kept fighting." Three of our defenders had defensive saves - Kaylin Flannery, Allison Pakula, and Gabby Darling who saved a high arching shot that was sailing over the head of the goalie. "You can't ask for any more heart than that - our defenders were literally diving and throwing themselves around to help inside the circle. It was great to watch." Mia Popovich also left her heart on the field using her speed and skills to make things happen endline to endline and Gabby Darling was extremely strong on defense with some great bursts up the middle to give the Facons some spark. The Knights went on to score a few more in the third quarter and a final tally in the fourth making it an 8-0 loss for Pennsbury. "The book keeper recorded 32 shots on our goalie with her saving 21 of them. It was a really good moment for her personally and we are so happy that she had such an awesome game," said Curtis. Curtis thinks back 1 year ago - "There is something familiar in these words as I look back at last year's North Penn game summary. My quotes are pretty similar and the description of where we are as a team is on the same track. We are making progress, still rearranging ingredients to find the best recipe, and finding our way as a whole. We rotated 22 girls through the lineup today giving opportunities and trying some new things - like scientists in a lab, the experimenting never ends and each game requires something different. I have an incredible coaching staff in Lori Riley, Lauren Gerth, and Michelle Siegle - we will not stop working to bring out the best in our players. We can all walk away today with so many positives in our pockets and look forward to what is to come." Pennsbury will travel to Pennridge on Wednesday night and then host Souderton on Friday.