Field Hockey: Lower Dauphin Holds Off Palmyra in Tight, Soggy Contest

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While many varsity sports in Central Pennsylvania are highly esteemed, it is safe to say that no sport has more statewide recognition than field hockey. In the past five years alone, Palmyra, Lower Dauphin, Mechanicsburg, and Warwick have all won state championships.

Furthermore, in last year’s state playoff bracket, three of the final four teams in both the 1A and 2A state playoffs hailed from District 3. This area is clearly home to some of the most elite field hockey programs in the state, and last night featured a marquee matchup between Palmyra and Lower Dauphin at Palmyra’s OAL Complex.

Palmyra entered the night as the top-ranked team in 2A, while LD was the top-ranked team in 3A, with each team having just one loss on the season. While these two powerhouses used to play twice per season, since LD moved out of the Keystone Division they now only play once per year—adding extra appeal to last night’s matchup.

After a hard-fought and soggy affair, it was the Falcons prevailing, 2-1.

LD got on the board first, as junior Northwestern commit Chase Strohm took the insert from Lily Rost on their first penalty corner of the game, slamming home a blast from the top of the circle with 9:23 left in the first quarter.

They held that lead until just under two minutes remained in the quarter, when Palmyra got on the board on a penalty corner of their own. Junior Leigha Kane took the insert and found sophomore Maddie Stahl at the top of the circle, who cashed in to tie the score at 1-1.

The only other score of the game came three minutes into the second quarter—almost a carbon copy of LD’s first goal—as Rost again found Strohm for a blast off a penalty corner. Several key saves by Cougar goalie senior Abby Bennettkept the score at 2-1 heading into halftime.

As the second half started, the skies opened up and a new wave of heavy rain soaked the players and fans who had packed the OAL Complex. The Falcons’ defense did a stout job of bottling up Stahl and senior Jovie Weaver, sending consistent double teams at the Cougars’ two leading scorers.

While Strohm had the two first-half goals, it was Rost who dominated play in the second half. Her fearless attacks into the circle earned several corners and thwarted any hopes of a Cougar comeback.

With the win, LD all but guarantees the No. 1 seed in the 3A District playoffs, which begin next week. For their part, Palmyra drops to the No. 2 seed behind defending state champ Warwick in the 2A power rankings—albeit by such a slim margin that a win in their regular season finale Wednesday could put them back in the top spot of the 2A bracket.

Be sure to come out tomorrow to the OAL Complex as Palmyra celebrates Senior Night vs. Red Land, wrapping up the regular season and tuning up for the first round of District playoffs at home on Tuesday, October 21.

Scoring Summary