TOWAMENCIN – “One-Two-Three… INTENSITY” shouted the North Penn Maidens Field Hockey Team heading into their last regular season game and senior “night” game Thursday afternoon. The game against Hatboro- Horsham was scheduled to be played Wednesday night under the lights on the turf, but with the rain delay, the game was postponed to Thursday afternoon. However, the rain did not stop the Maidens from finishing their season with a 3-1 victory against the Hatters.

Highlighting all eleven seniors before the game started, the Maidens had an emotional, but rocky start to their game.

“Today we came emotional because last night we didn’t get to play on our senior night because of the rain so today was really important that we come out hard,” said Senior and Captain Amanda Laessig. “We came out a little emotional and not as intense as we expected to, but I think we picked up a lot after the first goal and that followed through the entire game.”

The momentum and excitement they had on Wednesday lacked during the beginning of the first half.

A majority of the first half was led by the Hatters’ intense defense and attack. Goalkeeper Marissa Elizardo saving five shots in the first half had a great defensive game holding the Maidens together. It wasn’t until fourteen minutes into the first half when Laessig scored North Penn’s first goal. Assisted by Senior Kara Whitman, the goal seemed to get the Maidens back on track.

With two minutes left in the first half, Junior Emma Herb’s goal propeled the Maidens into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

“We had a lot of confidence throughout the whole game. We really worked on our passes in and out. I don’t think it was an individual game at all, we all worked as a team and built off of each other,” said Senior and Captain Casey O’Donnell.
The Maidens and Hatters came into the second half more intense than the first half. Demonstrated by both teams, defense was the key to winning. Leading the Maidens defense was senior Amanda Lashkevich, blocking multiple drives and keeping the North Penn defense in tack.

With ten minutes left in the game, Jenna Cutilli scored a goal for the Hatters. Keeping the Maidens on their toes, the team knew a one goal lead would not be secure enough against this evenly matched team. North Penn battled hard and at the seven minute mark, Laessig pulled through and scored her second goal of the day for the Maidens.

“Scoring the third goal was a really big moment in the game because we only had that goal lead and to score that put it away then,” Coach Shannon McCracken said, proud of all of her seniors and players. “I’m going to miss the senior class, they’re really special group, they work really hard and are a great example to the younger girls so it was awesome to see them get a win and to have such a great ending to the regular season. I’m so proud of them.”
Ending the season with a 3-1 victory against Hatboro- Horsham sets the tone and attitude towards playoffs.

“I see it more as a beginning than the end; ready to start and move on into playoffs,” Senior and Captain Marissa Elizardo said. The Maidens look to have a high seat in playoffs, so they can have home field advantage and see the crowd filled with North Penn fans and cheering students.

Thursday night the Maidens received the #12 seed in the upcoming PIAA District 1 playoffs, and will open up with a first round match up against Bishop Shannahan on Monday.