Yesterday was a picture perfect day for field hockey and before the Falcons started their pre game warm up, they captured the perfect picture. Once the team photos for the yearbook were snapped, the black and orange readied themselves for another home battle, this time against the Hawks of Council Rock South. This was a big game for us, explained Coach Traci Curtis. Each contest carries with it a fresh focus, a new set of goals, and a different challenge and today we had specific things we were expecting (and hoping) as coaches. Unfortunately, we did not achieve at the level we wanted and will, once again, gather up the lessons learned and work even harder to put the pieces back together. Curtis admits that her team came out flat and a little too carefree at the start of the game. We are not asking the girls to be nervous or tense, but it would have been nice to see some more of them laser focused on the task at hand. The Hawks came down and scored in the first minute of the game jolting our defense from their sleep and setting the tone right away. It shouldn't take something like that happening for our players to realize it's time to compete, Curtis added. Once the whistle blows it's too late to decide to actually work hard - that thought needs to happen like back in August, or even earlier. Now that we have a few games under our belt, we are starting to see how our lineup is shaking out and who made that committed decision way back and is willing to fight for the greater good. CR South's second goal came later in the first quarter on a great lifted shot to make it 2-0 going into the second quarter. After some adjustments, the Falcons came out a little stronger and held the Hawks scoreless in the second keeping the score 2-0 going into halftime. We had some moments of greatness and sparks that just couldn't ignite the way we wanted, said Curtis. My assistant, Britt Sheenan, and I were working double time during the break to figure out the best formula for the third quarter. Some things were working really well, but success doesn't come when it's 'some', it has to be more than that. Weaknesses are magnified against teams like South and we struggled with finishing or just being strong enough in too many places yesterday. Despite outstanding dives, saves, and winning circle scrambles from senior goalie, Jordan Vradenburgh, who denied 14 shots, the Hawks notched another goal in the third to take a 3-0 lead. In combination with Vradenburgh's stellar agility in the cage and leadership, junior Falcon defender, Riley Henderson added a defensive save to the books keeping South out of the goal for the remainder of the game. Henderson has been solid for us on D and is settling into her role so well. She is tough and skilled and able to help us get out of the backfield. Being down 3-0 did not feel good as we began the fourth quarter, but I have to say we came out for the final 15 minutes with some fire. We caught South on their heels a little bit and had a couple of really great opportunities on crosses from Meg McClure, but we were seconds behind the connection, missing by inches. If we connect on those cross passes, we are looking at a tie game in the fourth - a completely different game. Woulda, coulda, shoulda...Curtis and Sheenan were pained watching those balls go by the cage. Pennsbury did not give up and with 11 minutes remaining in the game, Rylie Borgman scored a lone goal on a beautiful breakaway set up with the help of Mia Popovich. Borgman has speed, smarts, and is a hard worker. She finished that breakaway so well and gave us the first spark of hope in the game that was far from over. However, it proved to be too little, too late. The game ended with the Hawks winning 3-1 and Pennsbury wishing there was more time to play. As Curtis reflects, she believes that her girls are way more capable than they showed yesterday. We have much more fight in us than that - it is just a matter of who decides to come out ready on any given day. In addition to those already mentioned, the following Falcons battled hard and made a difference for us - Chelsea Todd, Liv Greabner, Ava Jordan, Molly Murray, Gabby Darling, and Angelina Kenney. Pennsbury will host Conwell today for another home contest before beginning some traveling next week.