Kennedy-Kenrick takes Catholic League hockey title

Katie Shields is a back for the Kennedy-Kenrick field hockey team, but there have been occasions - usually in overtime - when coach Andrea Carr puts her on the front line.

Yesterday was one of those situations, and it paid off big time.

Shields' third goal of the season carried the Wolverines to a 2-1 overtime win over Archbishop Prendergast for their first Catholic League championship since 1997.

The goal came 4 minutes, 24 seconds into overtime at Arcadia University.

The win put the Wolverines (12-4) in the PIAA Class AA playoffs for the first time. They will represent District 12 when the state playoffs begin Nov. 4.

The Public League, also part of District 12, does not have any Class AA schools that play field hockey, so there will be no district playoff.

Shields said her stick was in the right place for her winning goal during a scramble in front of the cage.

"Bridgette [Mooney] had a free hit, and it deflected off my stick over their goalie," said Shields, admitting she was surprised the ball went in.

Despite Archbishop Prendergast's 18-3 edge in offensive penalty corners - it dominated play in the first 13 minutes of the second half - Wolverines goalie Jessica Burns said she was confident her team would win.

"That was nerve-racking out there," said Burns, who had five saves, "but when we weathered all those corners in the second half, I felt we could win."

During those 13 minutes, Kennedy-Kenrick managed to thwart the Pandas on six penalty corners, five of them within six minutes of one another.

The Pandas (15-4) were making their first appearance in the league final since 1979. Sophomore Brooke Stretch tied the game, 1-1, for them in the first half after the Wolverines' Melissa Hood had opened the scoring.

"We certainly came ready to play," Archbishop Prendergast coach Megan Chrest said. "We just couldn't take advantage of our opportunities. It was a great game."

Kennedy-Kenrick 1 0 1 - 2

Archbishop Prendergast 1 0 0 - 1

Goals: KK-Melissa Hood, Katie Shields. AP-Brooke Stretch.

Saves: KK-Jessica Burns 5. AP: Lauren Rovinsky 2.