Field Hockey: Palmyra Field Hockey Rolls to Perfect 7-0 Start

 

 

Written by Pete Steelman

 

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The Palmyra field hockey team opened its season in late August, posting impressive early wins against non-league competition to start the season 4-0. This past week, the Cougars began their Mid-Penn Keystone schedule, playing 3 games in six days and winning all three to push their record to a perfect 7-0.

Palmyra started the week with a Labor Day road game against Red Land, an upstart squad that brought a new head coach and an undefeated record into the contest. The Patriots, however, provided little resistance, falling behind 4-0 in the first half before ultimately losing 6-2.

Perhaps most impressive about Palmyra’s win was its balanced output. The team’s 6 goals were scored by 6 different players, highlighting its balanced attack and versatile array of scoring options.

Following their defeat of Red Land, the Cougars came back home for a Wednesday night tilt against Cedar Cliff. In what has become a pattern thus far, Palmyra struck early and often against the visiting Colts, scoring 5 first-half goals en route to the eventual 8-2 victory.

While the prior game showcased 6 different scorers, this matchup’s signature was the rare double hat trick, as junior Addy Barger and senior Leigha Kane each scored 3 goals in the rout.

To close out the week, Palmyra headed back on the road for a non-league matchup Saturday against Northwestern Lehigh, a powerhouse that has won an impressive 4 straight District 11 championships. While this had the potential to be a more competitive challenge for the Cougars, it was a case of déjà vu, as they again jumped out to a quick 4-0 halftime lead before finally securing the 6-0 win.

The scoring got started just 90 seconds into the contest, as 10th grader Allie Fink scored on a blistering reverse chip from the left side of the circle that the Tiger goalie was helpless to stop as it found the top corner of the cage.

Palmyra’s second goal came with 1:52 left in the first quarter, as junior Ella Detwiler scored on an assist by Addy Barger. To close out the first quarter, a Palmyra corner yielded a blast by senior Leigha Kane with no time remaining, capping another dominant opening quarter.

Perhaps the finest goal of the game came in the 2nd quarter, when promising 9th grader Lindsey Brandt eyed a bouncing cross by junior Leah Goephart, deflecting it out of mid-air to find the cage and effectively put the game out of reach before halftime.

Another goal by Leigha Kane as the half expired and two 2nd-half goals by defender Grace Frew were the icing on the cake in this lopsided affair. The host Tigers did not register a shot on goal and were out-cornered 25-0 by Palmyra.

The Cougars currently find themselves as the #1 seeded team in District 3, in a virtual deadlock with #2 Warwick, with whom they have tussled on the biggest of stages in multiple district and state championship games over the past several years. Indeed, these two teams, both of whom are steamrolling their early competition, seem destined to be on a collision course to meet again in the 2026 postseason.

Before that happens, of course, there is still a lot of regular-season hockey to be played, as Palmyra’s next challenge is a home game vs. Northern York on Tuesday.

Following that league game, the Cougars have been invited to play two games in the esteemed MAX Tournament. This annual invitational tournament is held at the Proving Grounds, where Palmyra will meet two powerhouse teams from New Jersey in exhibition games before its big matchup with rival Hershey on 9/21.

As we approach the halfway point in the season, the Cougars are setting themselves up to once again make a strong run at District and State gold.

 

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Palmyra 6, Northwestern Lehigh 0

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

• 13:28 – Palmyra: Allie Fink, field goal (Addie Barger assist)
• 1:50 – Palmyra: Ella Detwiler, penalty corner (Addie Barger assist)
• 0:01 – Palmyra: Leigha Kane, penalty corner (Liv Hepner assist)

2nd Quarter

• 7:20 – Palmyra: Lindsay Brandt, field goal (Leah Gephart assist)

4th Quarter

• 7:24 – Palmyra: Grace Frew, penalty corner (Leigha Kane assist)
• 0:10 – Palmyra: Grace Frew, penalty corner (Leigha Kane assist)

Shots on Goal: Palmyra 24, Northwestern Lehigh 0.
Corners: Palmyra 25, Northwestern Lehigh 0.
Defensive Saves: Palmyra 0, Northwestern Lehigh 0.
Saves: Palmyra – Sophie Kennelly 0, Sophie Cunningham 0; Northwestern Lehigh – Charlotte Gober 18.