Central Bucks West saw its season end in the opening round of the PIAA 3A Tournament. (Photo provided by CB West hockey)
PIAA 3A opening round
#11-2 PARKLAND 2, #1-3 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 1
The ending came too soon for a West squad with its sights set high.
“Our effort was there, but our execution wasn’t us,” coach Lori Ierubino said. “When I think about our execution not being as crisp as it can be – there’s too many good teams in Pennsylvania. There’s 16 left, and you’ve got to be on your game if you’re going to advance, and sadly, that wasn’t the case tonight.
“Honestly, they left it all out there, and I told them – those are things you remember, those are things you take with you. When you don’t remember other details, you’ll remember your teammates and the family that now increased in size with the people you bonded with and you’ll remember knowing you gave it your all. Sometimes you fall short. That’s a good life lesson, and that’s why I love sports – the things you take away that aren’t the wins and loss but those feelings and memories and the experiences you can apply to other things in life.”
Parkland took a 1-0 lead with 3:15 remaining in the opening quarter when Elaina Fragassi scored during corner play.
With 3:47 remaining in the first half, the Bucks evened the score – also on a corner – when Emily Taylor scored on a tip of Aide Ierbuino’s lift. The two teams went into halftime deadlocked 1-1.
With six minutes remaining in the third quarter, Parkland once again capitalized on a corner opportunity when Lila Temchatin scored on a tip of a shot by Fragassi.
“Mimi Duffy at one point just lit a fuse, and we were down there chomping at the bit,” Ierubino said. “It was 2-1 at that point, but we couldn’t finish. We had more shots, but I think they were a little more physical than us. Not that our girls weren’t used to it, but there was an adjustment to that. It just wasn’t our day.
“It’s sad because I think this team was legit. They did awesome things, and I don’t think any of us were ready for it to end, but Parkland is a very good team. There were 16 teams left, and everybody is good at this point. There’s no easy game once you’re in states.”
The Bucks bid farewell to a special group of seniors.
“They rebuilt that culture of West field hockey,” Ierubino said. “We have a lot of good kids coming back next year, and we have a lot of good kids coming up. It wasn’t like this is a one-time thing and then we fall back off.
“I think the expectations are there that West has a place in this powerhouse of PA field hockey, and they can be proud of that for the rest of their lives, being part of that transformation.”
Coach David DeAngelis – who was out of the country during the postseason – also offered warm sentiments about his squad.
“I had privilege and pleasure to be part of this group of student-athletes,” the West coach said. “I have seen our current seniors develop and grow as people since their freshman year. Our underclassmen have stepped up and made incredible contributions as well. It truly is and has been a selfless team.”
Parkland had an 8-7 edge in penalty corners, but the Bucks had a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal.
Central Bucks West closed out its successful season with a 19-4 record and the SOL Colonial title.
Central Bucks West 0-1-0-0 1
Parkland 1-0-1-0 2
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