Eustace stops Shawnee in field hockey

Kalie Pistone's overtime goal for a 3-2 Bishop Eustace victory at Shawnee yesterday had some interesting ramifications.

It showed Eustace that it could come from behind and defeat a field hockey team from a powerful program.

That's nice to know late in the regular season, when teams such as Eustace and Shawnee, Olympic Conference interdivisional rivals, are preparing for the state tournament.

Pistone's goal, on an assist from Elise DiDonato, also had historical significance.

Eustace assistant coach Alice Penza said she has been in the Crusaders' program for 24 years, and yesterday's win over the Renegades (13-4, 7-0 Patriot Division) was a first in all that time.

"My reaction when I scored was that I love Elise DiDonato," Pistone said.

Conversely, losing a game in which Shawnee had led, 2-0, at intermission had coach Renee Phelps complaining about complacency while her players ran laps after the game.

Pistone scored 1 minute, 26 seconds into a 10-minute, seven-on-seven, sudden-death overtime period. The senior forward was five feet from the cage when she tipped in a pass to the left of Briana Pereira.

The senior goalie had shut out five teams before yesterday, and it looked as if she was going to make Eustace (15-1, 8-0 National Division), ranked No. 4 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, number six.

The Renegades, ranked No. 3, outshot Eustace, 7-1. Goals by Dana Pignatello and Amanda Radwell gave them a 2-0 halftime lead.

Shawnee was beating the Crusaders to the ball and making interceptions. Part of the Crusaders' problem was that they lost their leading scorer, Kendall Kreisl, to injury shortly after the game started.

The second half was a different story.

Phelps said her girls became too comfortable with a two-goal lead and stopped working hard. Eustace coach Krissy Holach said she told her players to trust each other.

Eustace forward Jessica Weldon tied the game, 2-2, with 14:30 remaining in the second half when she tipped in a pass from Erin Griffin.

"We were so psyched after the first goal," Weldon said.

Forward Moira Penza, daughter of the assistant coach, scored first for Eustace, 3:11 after the break.

"When we scored the first goal, it got everyone going," Penza said.

Bishop Eustace 0 2 1 - 3

Shawnee 2 0 0 - 2

Goals: BE-Moira Penza, Jessica Weldon, Kalie Pistone. S-Dana Pignatello, Amanda Radwell.

Saves: BE-Vicki Lavell 7. S- Briana Pereira 1.