TOWAMENCIN – “We’re ready to go” exclaimed Coach Shannon McCracken Friday afternoon after the field hockey team steamrolled non-conference opponent Upper Dublin in a 6-1 victory; and ready they certainly are.
The North Penn Maidens played with obvious intensity as they beat the Upper Dublin Cardinals improving their overall record to 7-6. After a quick initial goal by Upper Dublin three minutes into the game, North Penn stepped up their play and wasted no time putting the ball in the net and tying it up.
The offense worked together to stay in Cardinal territory most of the first half, aided by the sturdy defense lead by senior Cassidy Barrow, junior Francesca Tossona, and sophomore Morgan Rimmer. The Maidens came out of the first quarter with two well-earned goals from junior Amanda Laessig and senior Shannon Talbot.
Talbot’s aerial, which deflected off the goalie and into the net, energized her team to take a first half lead. She said that many teams don’t expect it [an aerial shot], which is why she utilizes it. Fans have seen it before; she recently made use of it on Tuesday night’s game against Souderton.
“At halftime we talked about how we needed to do simple things and use our advantage – our speed, in the second half,” Coach McCracken explained.
The second half started with an explosive offense, with the Maidens breaking away from their opponents by scoring an additional four goals contributed by seniors Kara Imes and Ella Lundquist and sophomore Emma Herb.
Imes, who tailled two goals in the second half to secure the Maiden’s victory, explained after the game that she was glad to contribute to her team’s victory and acknowledges that she had the assistance of her teammates.
“We connected as a team. I kind of just anticipated the passes and made a good shot,” she modestly commented on the sidelines.
“It was a full team effort,” concurred McCracken. “We got back to our passing game and it’s been really working out for us.”
The Maidens are regaining strength from after their four game skid and look confidently toward the second half of the conference schedule this week, as they take on Central Bucks South Saturday evening and Quakertown on Wednesday, both opportunities for the confident team to prove themselves.