Quakertown edged Pennsbury in an evenly-matched non-league crossover Saturday. Photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ FIELD HOCKEY GALLERIES.
Non-league crossover
QUAKERTOWN 1, PENNSBURY 0
With just over five minutes remaining in regulation, the Panthers broke a scoreless tie, thanks to their Longacre connection when Paige Longacre turned a perfect feed from Penny Longacre into the game’s only goal.
Darcy Baxter and Anna Haberle combined for the shutout in goal.
For the Panthers, it was their sixth straight win after four consecutive losses to open the season.
Scoring summary
First quarter – No score
Second quarter – No score
Third quarter – No score
Fourth quarter
Paige Longacre (Q) from Penny Longacre, 5:15
Quakertown coach Peach Draper:
–On the game: “In an incredible battle that came down to the final minutes, we proved once again why this team
refuses to back down. Pennsbury showcased crisp passing and smart, disciplined play, clearly a well-coached squad that made us fight for every inch of the field. But today, our grit, heart, and refusal to break defined the game.
“All four quarters were a grind, with both teams leaving everything on the field. The breakthrough moment came with 5:15 left in regulation when Penny Longacre sent a perfect pass to Paige Longacre, who finished with composure to give us the edge. That goal was the spark we needed, and from there, the defense and goalkeeping locked it down.”
–Props: Between the pipes, Darcy Baxter and Anna Haberle were phenomenal, coming up with clutch saves that kept momentum on our side. On defense, Penny Longacre and Cameron Landis anchored the back line with strength and leadership, ensuring Pennsbury couldn’t find a way through. It was a complete team effort, and every player played their part in sealing the win. This victory marks our sixth straight win in a row after starting the season 0-4, proof of how resilient this group is. Brick by brick, the girls are building something special. They trust each other, play for one another, and continue to show that it’s not how you start, but how you finish.
(Article submitted by Pennsbury FH)
It was a gorgeous Saturday morning at Falcon Field – a great day to play field hockey. Pennsbury arrived ready to continue their four-game winning streak and put an exclamation point on the week, but unfortunately, they fell short to an equally talented Quakertown team in a hard-fought battle to the bitter end.
The first quarter was back and forth with much of the game happening between the 25s. The stats were neck and neck with each team earning penalty corners and getting a couple of shots on goal. The score was 0-0 going into the second quarter. The second quarter was more of the same high intensity battle. Each team had opportunities in the circle, but the score was deadlocked at 0-0.
“I feel like our teams played a very similar style hockey, and it was just talent against talent all over the field,” said PHS coach Traci Curtis. “We were playing really well using our passing combos, playing really strong defense, and working the ball up the field, but we were not completing the final steps on goal.
“It was great hockey on both sides and a really evenly matched game, but there were definitely moments when we could have capitalized on the situation and just fell one step short.”
The five-minute halftime was a much-needed breather for the Falcons and the Panthers. The goose eggs on the scoreboard told the story of the first half, and those double zeros continued to speak all through the third. Neither team was able to get the ball across the white line for 45 minutes – the fans were certainly getting their money’s worth (although it was free admission) from the performance on the field. It was quite a show!
The final 15 minutes were met with temperatures rising and a game that could go either way in a moment. And that moment came for Quakertown with less than five minutes in the game. Fifty-five scoreless minutes into the game, after a stellar series of stops from Pennsbury goalie Abby McCole, the Panthers earned a corner.
“They used a slip pass that got by our flyer and second step defender,” explained Curtis. “Quakertown stuck a stick in for a tip to redirect, and it slipped through McCole’s legs, and they finished with power to get the goal.
“They got the touch they needed in the moment. We played it to the best of our ability, and it just wasn’t enough to deny them.”
There was plenty of time left for the Falcons as they reset with confidence. PHS came down and pressured multiple times in the final minutes, even earning a penalty corner with the clock ticking away.
“We could taste the tying goal and were pounding on the doorstep until the very end. It just didn’t go our way today,” said Curtis. “Games like that are heartbreakers, but still awesome learning opportunities with such value for the future. It was an excellent field hockey game and that is what we want from our players.
“You could see the hearts strewn all over the field and that’s the feeling that makes us who we are. We are taking one step at a time and keeping our eyes looking ahead.”
Up next: Pennsbury will put one foot in front of the other and travel to Upper Moreland on Monday, and Quakertown will travel to Souderton for a non-league crossover game.
Quakertown 0-0-0-1 1
Pennsbury 0-0-0-0 0
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