(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Going into Saturday's regular season finale, both Wilson and Cedar Crest knew they were guaranteed to see each other again in the United East Championship semifinals on Wednesday. What was on the line Saturday was home field advantage for next week's game.
Unfortunately for the Phoenix, a converted fourth quarter penalty stroke by the Falcons proved to be the difference as the lone goal in a superb defensive battle exemplified by both teams.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 0, Cedar Crest 1
Venue: Wilson Hockey Field
Records: Wilson 9-5, 1-2 UE; Cedar Crest 5-12, 2-1 UE
How It Happened
- It took both offenses a little while to get warmed up as each team was limited to just one shot in the opening quarter. The Falcons' Adriana Hinkle had the first chance midway through the frame with a save provided by Allyson Shindler (Sr., Manchester, Pa. / Northeastern) while Brea Kelso (Jr., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg) found an opening before her shot was saved by Brynn Rifino. Kelso and Hinkle also added shots in the second, but neither were able to find the back of the cage.
- The Wilson offense came alive in the second half with five shots in the first three minutes thanks to a pair of corners. Kate Seymour (Fy., Churchton, Md. / Southern) had a take before either with the first corner awarded after her shot was saved. Kelso and Seymour both had shots saved after the first corner was put into play, while Paige Ney (So., Biglerville, Pa. / Biglerville) and Seymour were off target on chances from the second. Kelso later had shots on goal from corners later in the period, but both were saved by Kadee Schrader who spelled Rifino after the first quarter.
- The Phoenix attack stayed in a frenzy with additional chances at the start of the fourth. A penalty stroke was awarded just 35 seconds in, but Jill Ahlgren's (Sr., Mercersburg, Pa. / Mercersburg / Gettysburg) shot went wide. Four shots followed in the next three minutes with three saves by Schrader. Another stroke was then awarded to Wilson, but Kelso's shot was stopped by a diving Schrader.
- After three more Wilson shots, Cedar Crest was able to counter after a clear with Hinkle attacking the goal on an odd-player rush. This time a stroke was awarded to the Falcons, and Hinkle was able to slip it by Shindler on the left side with 8:24 to go.
- Wilson had a pair of additional corners in the remaining time, but was unable to generate a shot the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers
- The Blue and White outshot the Falcons 18-5 overall and 13-3 in shots on goal.
- Penalty corners were also heavily in favor of the Phoenix by a 14-2 count.
- The loss snapped a four-game winning streak over the Falcons dating back to the 2019 CSAC Championship semifinal.
One Last Time
- Saturday also served as Senior Day for the Phoenix. Following the game, Jordan Hastie (Frederick, Md. / Thomas Johnson), Kaley Barnhart (Greencastle, Pa. / Greencastle), Ahlgren, Delaney Fulfer (Greencastle, Pa. / Greencastle), and Shindler were all honored.
Up Next
Wilson and Cedar Crest will meet for Round 2 on Wednesday in the United East Championship semifinals at The FalconPlex in Allentown. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
