By the time Cumberland Valley field hockey figured out its game Tuesday on the Eagles’ home field, the score was 2-2 and the second half of the rivalry matchup against Central Dauphin was already underway.
Up until the third quarter, it was either team’s game to win.
But, in the end, the Eagles capitalized on corners in the fourth, which wore down the Rams’ defense. They put 3 away to earn the first win between the two meetings the squads will have this Fall.
Cumberland Valley is 4-1 and Central Dauphin is 2-2-1. They’re both located in District 3 and play in the Mid-Penn Conference Commonwealth Division.
Senior Caylin Donlevy scored first in the game. But, it was quickly answered by Central Dauphin’s Syncere Matthews.
The second quarter reflected much of the same as the first with both teams flexing their muscles in the middle of the field, and positioning players out wide. Rams senior Sara Yeselavage had an excellent first half, stopping several of the Eagles runs in Cumberland Valley’s attack circle. She was quick with her stick, low to the ground, and helped her goalie in the backfield.
One player from each team were given green cards within seconds apart toward the end of the second. But, neither team gained an advantage in spite of the warnings.
The third was a repeat of the first with Cumberland Valley scoring on a corner. Morgan Smeltz inserted to Marissa Muza, who slammed the ball into the lower left pocket of the cage.
Just shy of 60 seconds after the Eagles’ goal, Central Dauphin’s Gabrielle Brightbill ripped a pass toward cage, which was deflected by a Cumberland Valley player. Brightball’s pass nearly went out of bounds, but Kaylee Zellers continued to play it inside the Rams’ attack circle. She turned, shot, and scored, leveling the score 2-2.
By the time the fourth began, the Eagles’ were more efficient with their passing, whether it was a small game or long ball scenario. Cumberland Valley’s athletes were looking to see whether another pass was necessary causing Central Dauphin to do more running. They were effectively taking advantage of controlling the pace and placement of the ball.
The Eagles earned 15 corners during the game, of which, more than a third of them were in the fourth. Lexi Hunter tipped one in off a pass from Hayven Mumma on an extended corner, which was broken up and had continued until the score.
Muza added to the tab by perfectly placing an arced ball up and over all the defense, including Central Dauphin goalie Jacklyn Roslee, into the back of the net.
And, another fancy shot was Mumma’s final goal of the game.
Mumma was positioned at stroke and patiently watched as the ball was moved around the top of the circle. The ball was passed inside, where Mumma was able to put all her weight into a shot off her front foot hammering it into the cage.
Cumberland Valley 1-0-1-3: 5
Goals: Donlevy, 1; Muza, 2; Hunter, 1; Mumma, 1
Assists: Smeltz, 1; Mumma, 1; Hunter, 3 (Muza)
Shots: 11
Penalty Corners: 15
Saves: Katie Hume, 1
Central Dauphin 1-0-1-0: 2
Goals: Matthews, 1; Zellers, 1
Assists: Brightbill, 1
Shots: 3
Penalty Corners: 3
Saves: Jacklyn Roslee, 6
