(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – A rugged and resilient defense keyed Wilson to a win over Keystone in the United East opener on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The senior back trio of
Payton Kendall (McConnellsburg, Pa. / Forbes Road), Hailey Steele (Biglerville, Pa. / Biglerville), and
Hannah Aker (Yardley, Pa. / Pennsbury) along with goalkeeper
Erin Sullivan (FY, Byram, N.J. / Lenape Valley) stymied the Giants' attack to give the Phoenix their fifth shutout of the season and their seventh consecutive win.
They had an extra reason to celebrate as it was also Senior Day for the Blue and White. In addition to the aforementioned defenders,
Kait Blizzard (Westminster, Md. / Francis Scott Key) and
Brea Kelso (Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg) were honored following the game.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 1, Keystone 0
Venue: Wilson Hockey Field
Records: Wilson 8-1, 1-0 UE; Keystone 4-6, 0-1 UE
How It Happened
- While the last contest was fueled by a high-octane offense, Wilson's defensive mettle was tested in this conference rivalry. The Giants wasted no time in getting a shot on goal just 1:16 into the contest, but Sullivan was able to kick away the save to end the threat. She added two more stops midway through the frame to keep the game scoreless.
- With under four minutes to play in the first, the Phoenix saw their first high percentage opportunity of the game. They made sure to make it count. With the ball going towards end line on the right side of the cage, Paige Ney (Jr., Biglerville, Pa. / Biglerville) was able to take it around the goalie who came out to play it. Ney kept it alive and prevented it from going out before centering it to Kate Seymour (So., Churchton, Md. / Southern) in front of the goal. Seymour was able to get just enough on the shot to have it cross into the goal for the score.
- From there it was the defense's job to keep the Blue and White in front. Keystone came back with two penalty corners in the second quarter, but only generated a shot after one of them which was blocked. Another Giants' shot was saved by Sullivan just before the half.
- In the second half, Sullivan was called upon three more times with saves on all three attempts. Wilson wasn't out of the woods just yet as Keystone still worked its way to three penalty corners in the fourth. Kendall, Steele and Aker did well to prevent a single shot during those set pieces, and one final attempt by the Giants in the final minute went wide to preserve the victory.
Inside The Numbers
- Wilson has now defeated Keystone in five of the last six meetings between the two. The all-time series is now tied once again with six wins for each school.
- The last six games have all been shutouts by the winning team.
- Seymour's goal was her sixth of the season. She now has 16 points on the year, second on the team behind only Ney who has 19 after her assist today.
- Sullivan finished the day with seven saves, matching her season-best from the previous game against Goucher. This time she did so on nine shots faced and a perfect save percentage.
Up Next
The Phoenix will be back in action with a midweek showdown against Lebanon Valley. Game time is set for 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
