By Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
MOUNTAIN TOP – After being shut out twice in the final 10 days of the regular season and struggling to score goals in general since a high-scoring first week of the season, Crestwood discovered its offensive punch just in time to begin its District 2-4 Class 2A field hockey title defense.
The Comets, who had not scored more than four goals in a game since Sept. 3, matched that number in a 5:01 stretch of the second quarter alone.
That outburst combined with the defense not allowing a shot for a span of nearly 50 minutes to create a 10-0 rout of visiting Shikellamy in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.
Aubrey Macri completed her trick with two goals in the second-quarter flurry that assured the remainder of the game would be played under the Mercy Rule.
Even with the running clock, the Lady Comets added two more goals each in the third and fourth quarters.
“The last couple weeks, we’ve really concentrated on teamwork and communication and I think it all came full circle for us tonight,” first-year Crestwood coach Amanda Tredinnick said. “The girls played their hearts out and that’s all we’ve been asking.”
Crestwood had averaged just 2.1 goals per game over its previous 14 games, but played well enough defensively to put together an 11-7 record and land a second seed, which means another home game Thursday in the semifinals against Dallas.
The Lady Comets have shut out six opponents and held six others to a single goal. They have also added Isabella Caporuscio, a first-team Class 2A all-state goalie last season, who missed the start of this season following an illness. She only needed to make two saves Tuesday.
“Our goal from Day One was to get back to the district championship game,” Tredinnick said. “Early on, we battled some injuries. We bounced back; we grew as a team and the girls’ hard work and dedication has really shown over the past few weeks.
“After tonight, we’re right where we need to be.”
The Lady Comets outshot the Braves, 31-2, and had a 12-3 advantage in penalty corners.
Macri opened the scoring midway through the first quarter, then scored twice in the second quarter.
Kylah Kelly’s goal with 8:03 still remaining in the half made it 5-0 and invoked the Mercy Rule, then Macri completed her hat trick 1:23 later.
Alyse Wanchisen scored twice for the Lady Comets while Kelly and Emma Guydish each had a goal and an assist.
Alex Geiger, Morgan Koons and Julia Dessoye also scored.
Emily DelVecchio had two assists and Ava McConnell added one.
Elsewhere in Class 2A
Jordan Bond scored her second goal of the game in the closing seconds of overtime to lift Dallas over host Pittston Area, 3-2, and into the semifinal game at Crestwood.
Bella Giardina scored in the third and fourth quarters to rally Pittston Area from a 2-0 halftime deficit and force overtime.
Selinsgrove held Wallenpaupack without a shot in a 5-0 shutout to win the other quarterfinal and advance to face top-seeded Abington Heights, which had a bye in the seven-team tournament.
Class 3A quarterfinals
Wilkes-Barre Area and Wyoming Valley West posted quarterfinal victories to reach Thursday’s semifinals.
Wilkes-Barre Area defeated Tunkhannock, 3-1, and advanced to face top-seeded Honesdale.
Wyoming Valley West shut out Delaware Valley, 2-0, to move into a game at defending champion Hazleton Area.
