TOWAMENCIN-The North Penn Maidens field hockey team lost a nail biter to the CB South Titans on Tuesday, finding themselves on the wrong end of a 1-0 shutout. The conference matchup was a test for the Maidens, who entered 7-3 overall and 5-2 in league contests, and the Titans were the ultimate challenge, holding a 7-0 record coming into the game.

The Maidens started the first half sluggish, allowing the Titans offense to start attacking right out of the gate. The Maidens did not get the ball over the midfield line for almost the first ten minutes of the first half, and fell victim to turnovers and penalties, giving up possessions too easily. However, the defense bent but did not break, as Senior Captain Marissa Elizardo repelled shots away from the goal to keep the Titans in check. Goalkeeping, along with the stout defense led by Senior Francesca Tossana, helped the Maidens to stay even with the Titans, and their offense started to show signs of life as the first half drew to a close. Not able to convert any chances, both teams went into the break scoreless.

Starting the first half off well, the Maidens came out aggressive, winning multiple possessions and making better decisions within their offense. The defense for the Maidens also continued to be a force, with a diving save by Elizardo about three minutes in.

In the end, however, the Maidens could not convert their opportunities on the offensive end, and the Titans took advantage. A controversial CB South score came halfway through the second half, as a long Titan ball made it all the way downfield, coming out of a huddle of players and landing in the back of the goal. Officials ruled that the ball was tipped by the Titans, giving a raucous crowd the only score of the game. The rest of the second half was spent in a deadlock, with multiple Maiden offensive charges repelled by the Titan’s defense, and Titan breakaways snuffed out by the Maiden’s defense.

A late charge by the Maidens, while making the game exciting, was not enough to even the game, and CB South walked off victorious. The Maidens, now third in the Continental Conference at 5-3, will look to regain their rhythm against Mount Saint Joseph on Saturday at home.