POTTSTOWN >> The Hill School field hockey group hasn’t gotten the place it’s through taking part in simple warring parties. On the opposite, the Blues attempt to put in combination as tricky a agenda as conceivable, stuffed with most sensible 20 nationally-ranked groups on every occasion they are able to.
One of the ones got here to the city on Wednesday afternoon and The Hill confirmed why it’s ranked No. 1 within the nation through showing just right passing, competitive play within the circle and robust protection and goalkeeping in a 5-1 win over No. 17 Wyoming Seminary at Cunningham Field.
Opal Sparling scored two times within the first quarter, Riley Savage added two targets within the 3rd and Maggie Kondrath completed up the scoring within the fourth. Keeper Hala Silverstein directed the protection and made 4 saves because the Blues ran their report to 14-0.
Hill School’s Taylor Bigbie secures ownership of the ball all through the second one part towards Wyoming Seminary Wednesday at Cunningham Field. (Evan Wheaton – MediaNews Group)
Kylie Romanchick scored overdue for the Blue Knights (13-4-1), who’ve gained 4 consecutive PIAA Class 1A titles, ncluding a 6-0 win over Oley Valley in final season’s ultimate.
“I pride myself in building the toughest schedule in the country for my team,” Hill trainer Jen Weissbach mentioned.
“It’s super cool to see seven or eight top 20 teams on our schedule this year,” mentioned Michigan-bound senior Silverstein. “We see a lot of players who are going to Division I. We have a target on our backs. But we want to stay humble. We just play our game.”
Hill School’s Riley Savage contests the ball towards Wyoming Seminary’s Emerson Swartz all through the primary part of a field hockey sport Wednesday at Cunningham Field. (Evan Wheaton – MediaNews Group)
Wyoming Seminary picked up the primary two penalty nook tries of the sport and hit the publish with a shot halfway during the opening quarter.
But the Blues ruled the play for the remainder of the length and in the end cashed in when Sparling knocked in a shot from the left wing with 28 seconds to head. Then the Knights had been whistled for a nasty a fragment of a 2d prior to time ran out. The Blues transformed the nook without a time left at the clock when Sparling took a move from Jaedyn Scarlatos and ripped in a shot from simply within the most sensible of the circle.
“We have a really good passing team,” mentioned Sparling, a freshman midfielder from Chester Springs within the Owen J. Roberts School District. “We’re good at switching from defense to offense. I think any of us can put the ball on the net.”
Hill School field hockey gamers have fun a objective alongside the sideline all through the primary part towards Wyoming Seminary on Wednesday at Cunningham Field. (Evan Wheaton – MediaNews Group)
The Blues persevered to regulate the remainder of the part, throwing shot after shot on the web, and sooner or later broke the sport open when Savage scored early (on an help through Abigail Gerdeman) and overdue within the 3rd quarter.
“We’ve really been focusing on attacking the circle,” Weissbach mentioned. “We play a passing style of hockey, giving us some nice opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net.”
“We’ve been really practicing finishing and cleaning up our circle play,” Silverstein added.
The Hill completed with a 16-6 merit in corners and compelled Wyoming Seminary keepers to make 19 saves, 16 within the first 3 quarters through Laine Cabell and 3 within the fourth through Megan Cotrone.
And whilst Silverstein didn’t must fend off many photographs, numerous that needed to do with the efficient protection in entrance of her.
“I have to credit my defense for being so awesome,” Silverstein mentioned. “They stop a lot of stuff before it gets to me.”
Besides showing spectacular field hockey talents, Weissbach and the gamers credit score a close-knit group thought as a key to their luck.
Hill School’s Kerry Elliott strikes to move the ball alongside the sideline to midfield all through the second one part towards Wyoming Seminary Wednesday at Cunningham Field. (Evan Wheaton – MediaNews Group)
“We have probably the most talent on this team that I’ve ever had,” mentioned Weissbach, who’s in her 6th season helming this system. “One through 24 could all start. We all play for each other. I’m most proud of the culture we’ve built here. It’s nice to see them onboard with that.”
And lots of them taking part in at the similar membership group additionally is helping the brotherly love.
“It’s nice to play with teammates who are on my club,” Sparling mentioned.
“Besides that, our team dynamic and culture really helps our team,” Silverstein added.
Hill School’s Maggie Konarath strikes the ball alongside midfield all through the second one part towards Wyoming Seminary Wednesday at Cunningham Field. (Evan Wheaton – MediaNews Group)
Last yr, the Blues gained the Mid-Atlantic Prep League, however suffered a disappointing 3-2 last-minute loss to Episcopal Academy within the PISAA ultimate.
It’s is among the causes for taking part in gifted groups like Wyoming Seminary from the Scranton-Wilkes Barre house.
“It’s a great game for us to prepare for states in November,” Weissbach mentioned.
“We definitely want to look at a state championship,” Silverstein added.
The Hill School 5, Wyoming Seminary 1
Wyoming Seminary 0 0 0 1 – 1
The Hill School 2 0 2 1 – 5
Scoring
First quarter
HS-Opal Sparling
HS-Opal Sparling (Jaedyn Scarlatos)
Third quarter
HS-Riley Savage (Abigail Gerdeman)
HS-Riley Savage
Fourth quarter
HS-Maggie Kondrath
WS-Kylie Romanchick
Corners: HS-16, WS-6
Saves: WS 19 (Laine Cabell 16, Megan Cotrone 3), HS 4 (Hala Silverstein)