Warwick’s Bree Zoccolo fired off a shot late in the fourth quarter, which she rebounded for a second shot score, that lifted the Warriors to the 2023 PIAA Class 3A high school field hockey quarterfinals bracket.
Warwick will take on Penn Manor, a familiar competitor that the Warriors have encountered three times this season. Both teams play in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Their quarterfinal matchup Saturday is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start at Donegal High School.
During the round one contest, Downingtown West had Warwick’s respect. The Warriors knew the game stood the chance of going down to the wire.
The Whippets, which finished as finalists in the District 1 championship game, went 20-3 on the season, with their final loss to Warwick. West had a lot of power on its squad, including a quick-thinking agile goalie.
But, when it comes to the postseason, all it takes is one goal to flip the script. The back and forth game went both teams’ ways in each quarter. They were nearly identical in shots, corners and saves, but Warwick had the slight edge.
The game was defined by fast self-starts, and even faster flyers on defensive corners. West attempted a top of the circle entry many times but Warwick’s defense and midfielders were able to read the play and intercept.
Karys Craver was a large part of stealing any momentum when the Whippets were looking to smash a ball from inside the circle, effectively taking away both a straight shot or chance to tip. Craver is a natural at scanning the field looking for her outlets.
Both teams transitioned from defense to offense without hesitation and found the splits either down the middle or within their offensive 25. But, once momentum began for one squad, the other would counter with a clean block tackle or 3D execution to find space along the sideline for a right side press.
Zoccolo’s goal was the only lucky one that got past West’s goalie, a Duke commit, for the win. She scored with 4:15 remaining in the game.
Warwick 0-0-0-1: 1
Goals: Zoccolo, 1
Assists: 0
Shots: 9
Penalty Corners: 7
Saves: Taryn Toburen, 5
Downingtown West 0-0-0-0: 0
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Shots: 5
Penalty Corners: 5
Saves: Kaiya Chepow, 8
File Photo: Palmyra at Warwick, (Bob Benscoter, October 2023)
