The Wyoming Area field hockey team had never made it to the PIAA final stage until November 2022.
And, when it came down to the wire, with no time on the clock, it was senior Bianca Pizano who was picked under pressure. Pizano was selected to take a stroke against Oley Valley’s goalie, which ended up being the game-winner that sent the Warriors to the PIAA Class 1A championship at Cumberland Valley.
The state’s semifinal score was 3-2 Wyoming Area. Wyoming Area ultimately fell to Boiling Springs 1-0 in the championship round.
But the Warriors, much like the Bubblers, made it farther in the postseason than any other team in their school’s history.
Pizano, who leaves for Michigan State in July, won Female Athlete News’ first scholarship competition this past week. She was one of 24 seniors in the running for the $5,000 scholarship. Participants were asked to gather their biggest supporters, who voted for them. Voters were made up of a combination of female athletes, who have a profile on FAN’s ‘Athletes’ page and Athletes and Gallery pass holders.
Pizano won a majority of the vote. There was 87 percent voter participation.
FAN was able to catch up with Pizano over the weekend for a quick Q&A.
Q: What is your favorite memory from the 2022 season?
“Scoring the game winning stroke with no time left, sending us to the state final game. We made it to the championship game for the first time in school history.”
Q: What excites you most about going to college?
“Being able to experience Big 10 field hockey and playing at the highest level.”
Q: Why did you choose Michigan State?
“The family atmosphere of the campus, team, and coaches was unmatched to anywhere else.”
Q: Do you know how you will spend the scholarship money?
“To supplement any costs that are brought up within my college education.”
Q: What are you going to miss most about attending Wyoming Area?
“The support system at Wyoming Area is unlike any other high school, everyone wants each other to succeed, and I’ll miss my field hockey team and the great bond that we all had with each other.”
Q: Why did you choose biochemistry?
“The major would be a good foundation for me to hopefully become a dentist in the future.”
