Both teams had further away night games last night, got home late and had to dig deep in today's contest using grit and determination. Upper Moreland was able to win today by being a united and supportive team! This includes every player that went in the game whether for 5 minutes or 61 minutes! The sideline was electric with positivity and cheering! This is a neighborhood rivalry, so when Torpey scored the first goal, players and coaches on the sidelines and in the game were bursting with excitement!
We have had a different lineup almost every game. The coaches have given different players opportunities to start and play different positions and today we used a lineup and formation that gave more of an offensive push! Izzy Duncan led the way on both offense and defense dominating in the middle of the field. Izzy always wants to be “in the mix” - she wants to score , but we also need her back on defense. We have developed a formation that enables her to utilize her strengths and she is thriving there and our team is reaping the benefits!
Our two freshmen midfielders, Bridget Hess and Olivia Torres were our connectors with awesome passing. Soph (TK) Riehle used her amazing stickwork to not allow Hatboro to get the ball. We gave Soph the game ball today, because she used her incredible moves and her ability to keep possession and get the ball to her teammates for scoring opportunities!! Also, Soph came back in the circle multiple times to get defensive pass interceptions at critical times in the game to stop the Hatters attack.
On the first goal, Soph took control of the ball at the top of the circle, then sent a pinpoint pass to Kyleigh Convey who then passed to Melissa Torpey for the shot and score! Also at forward, Charlies Fayall was a burst of energy for the Bears tearing it up to get the ball up the field.
Then in the 4th quarter, Hatboro got the ball at the top of the circle and ripped a shot toward goal that found the backboards.
With the score 1 - 1, the game became more intense and the Bear defense led by Kelly Bates, Julia Gallen and Addi Gans kept the Hatters out of the circle, so that Addi Hurley only had to make 3 saves in the game.
When Overtime came, the Bears were ready! With 2 freshmen, 1 junior and 4 seniors in the OT, the underclassmen immediately took the ball to goal and freshmen Olivia Torres sent the ball across to classmate Bridget Hess, who then passed to junior Ella Gould for the Winning goal with only one minute off the clock!