(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The CSAC field hockey championship crown will remain in Chambersburg as top-seeded Wilson successfully defended its title with a shutout of No. 2 Keystone on Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix clinched its three-peat by scoring a pair of first half goals and relied on their rugged defense in the second half.
The Basics
Score: No. 1 Wilson 2, No. 2 Keystone 0
Venue: Wilson Hockey Field
Records: No. 1 Wilson 12-3, No. 2 Keystone 9-9
How It Happened
- Once again Wilson's midfield played a huge difference in the game and kept possession on the offensive end for most of the game. The Phoenix were eventually rewarded by their offensive persistence on their second penalty corner. Abigail Rosenberry (Sr., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg) was able to get a shot on goal, and although it was saved, a foul occurred on a second attempt which resulted in a penalty stroke. It was the second consecutive game she was awarded one, and once again her shot was true and provided the Phoenix with a 1-0 lead with 5:04 left in the first.
- A penalty corner helped Wilson score its second goal as well. This time Elizabeth Landon (Fy., West Grove, Pa. / Avon Grove) was able to get the first shot off. Again it was saved, but Brea Kelso (So., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg) was able to position herself close enough to the goal after inserting the corner that she was able to take the rebound and score with 10:01 to go in the half.
- Wilson relied on its defense in the second half. Keystone managed to record its first shot of the game in the third quarter, but the Phoenix defenders were able to block it. The Wilson backline was tested even more in the fourth quarter as the Giants fired off five shots in the frame. The first was the first time Allyson Shindler (Sr., Manchester, Pa. / Northeastern) was tested and the save was provided. As the Giants made one final push late in the period, Hailey Steele (So., Biglerville, Pa. / Biglerville) made a defensive save on one of the shots while Shindler came up with another soon thereafter.
Inside The Numbers
- This is the third consecutive CSAC Tournament championship following wins in 2019 and 2021 (excluding 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic). It's also the third time in four championship games that the Phoenix and Giants have played each other.
- Once again Shindler, along with the help of defenders Steele, Kylie Greek (Sr., Harrington, Del. / Lake Forest), and Hannah Aker (So., Yardley, Pa. / Pennsbury), provided another shutout for the Blue and Black. It's the sixth-straight clean sheet for the Phoenix, and ninth of the season. Shindler has recorded the solo shutout for six of them and shared the other three.
- It's the fourth consecutive time that Wilson has shutout Keystone with two of those coming in CSAC championship games.
- Wilson outshot the Giants 16-6 in the game with an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal. Paige Ney (Fy., Biglerville, Pa. / Biglerville) had the most takes in both categories with five overall and four on goal.
- Penalty corners also favored the Phoenix by an 11-5 count.
- Rosenberry's goal was her sixth of the season. Three of them have been on penalty strokes where she is perfect on the season. As a result of her play in the CSAC Tournament, Rosenberry was named MVP for the tournament.
- Kelso's goal puts her in double digits with 10 on the season.
Up Next
The win gives Wilson the CSAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Division III field hockey selection show will be Sunday, Nov. 6, at 10:30 p.m. The team will gather in Jensen Dining Hall in Lenfest Commons to watch the show with everyone welcome to attend.
