Mount St. Joseph hangs on to earn 2-1 field hockey playoff win

SHILLINGTON, Pa. - Mount St. Joseph field hockey coach Lois Weber may hold a class on proper nutrition and hydration before her team's next game in the PIAA Class AAA playoffs.

On Saturday, the Magic built a halftime lead on junior midfielder Brooke Sabia's two goals, but then had to hold on for a 2-1 win over District 11's Northampton (17-8-1) in the quarterfinals of the playoffs.

The game was played under unusually warm conditions at Gov. Mifflin High. The temperature was in the 60s at game's end.

"Some of them just hopped on the bus at home and probably didn't have enough food or drink before they left," Weber said. "They're teenagers."

The coach had cautioned her players Friday about proper nutrition and drink, particularly for the warm November weather that was predicted.

Sabia, whose goals came seven minutes apart in the first half, conceded that the warm weather became a factor.

"At the end I was exhausted," the junior forward said. "It was hot out there."

The victory puts the Magic (18-6-1) in a semifinal matchup Tuesday against Cocalico. No site or time for that semifinal game has been determined yet. Cocalico finished fifth in District 3.

Although Northampton had a 4-2 edge in offensive penalty corners in the first half, Mount St. Joseph was able to forge its lead because it was disrupting play in the middle of the field and controlling the ball. Northampton likes to hit long balls, using the middle of the field.

Sabia got an assist from twin sister Allie on her first goal with 12 minutes to play in the half.

"Allie lifted the ball and I just swung at it," said Brooke. "I was hoping it would go in. I just swept the ball in on the second goal."

The Magic appeared ready to break the game open at the outset of the second half but had trouble finding the cage. Mount St. Joseph recorded four straight offensive corners in a 21/2-minute stretch beginning at the 19-minute mark of the half, but came up empty.

Northampton senior Kristin Kichline made things more interesting when she scored for the Konkrete Kids with 15:05 left to play.

"We lost communications on that goal," said Mount goalie Kat Matchett. "She [Kichline] was wide open on the post and I didn't know she was there. If I had known, I could have slid over more."

Kichline's shot went into the lower-left-hand corner of the cage.

Mount St. Joseph   2 0 - 2

Northampton   0 1 - 1

Goals: MSJ–Brooke Sabia 2. N–Kristin Kichline.

Saves: MSJ–Kat Matchett 7. N–Tori Gollie 6.