EAGLEVILLE – After a goal less than 4 minutes into the game for Methacton, all the momentum the Knights had coming into the game was wiped away immediately as North Penn fell 6-1 to the Warriors.

On Monday night, the #13 seeded North Penn field hockey team kicked off the District 1 playoffs with a thrilling win over the Central Bucks East Patriots, winning 2-1. They advanced on to the second round to take on the #4 seeded Methacton Warriors.

The Knights, looking to carry over their momentum from Monday’s victory, fell behind early after the Warriors struck first a little over 3 minutes in on a goal by senior Calie Fisher. The Knights had a chance to answer back but failed to capitalize on a penalty corner opportunity. At the end of the first it was Methacton 1, North Penn 0.

At the beginning of the second, the Warriors looked to come out hot attempting to score within the first minute, but North Penn senior Emma Hoffman saved a Methacton shot attempt. The two teams went back and forth for about 8 minutes before the Knights once again looked to tie it up just a little over halfway into the second, but North Penn junior Cara Albano’s shot was blocked.

As the score remained 1-0 the momentum was still up for grabs with the half nearing, and the Warriors took control after Methacton senior Allyson Mitchell scored a goal with just 3 and half minutes to play in the second quarter. Looking to continue the momentum just 2 minutes later, the Warriors had a penalty corner opportunity, but failed to cash in, keeping the score at 2-0 heading into the half.

The Knights hoped to come out firing in the second half, but it was Methacton who did instead as they wasted no time extending the lead to 3 after senior Cecelia Rehak scored less than 3 minutes into the second half making it 3-0 in favor of the Warriors.

“They had a lot of speed and they did a really good job of switching,” said head coach Shannon McCracken on what the Knights struggled to stop on the Warriors offense. “Their center forward will switch out to the right, so we weren’t doing a great job with staying with our marks at times.”

The Warriors kept the pressure on and the lights just got too bright for the Knights as Methacton was pouring it on after Calie Fisher scored her second goal of the night making it 4-0 Warriors less than 5 minutes into the third. Methacton added another a little over 9 minutes into the third when senior Nicole Walsh scored on an assist from senior Lea DeWan.

North Penn finally got on the board when senior Tallie Smink shot a laser on a corner penalty and cut Methacton’s lead down to 4. The Knights looked to bring the game even closer but were unable to find the back of the net the rest of the match.

Just as the Knights felt like they could maybe get the momentum back, Methacton Junior Gabby Dwyer nailed the dagger in the coffin with under a minute to play in the third, making the score 6-1.

The 4th quarter went without action as neither team added to the scoreboard, leaving the final score at 6-1 and ending the North Penn season.

“It was definitely a season that had its ups and down…I’m really proud of the highs of the season where we made the playoffs, and we had some really great wins against some great teams,” McCracken said. “Every team in our division made the playoffs this year, so that just says a lot about our division and our opponents.”

The Knights will say goodbye to 8 seniors this year. McCracken touched on how much this group of seniors really meant to the team.

“They had high character, strong work ethic, and good role models for our younger kids,” McCracken said. “The leadership of Tallie Smink and Kylie Barwis was great this year. They were our two captains and they took ownership on the field, directing players and making connections with the girls aswell.”