By Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
KINGSTON – Honesdale faced half of Wyoming Valley West’s six penalty corners in the last two minutes, but Claire Campen made sure the Lady Hornets never let their lead get away.
Lily Murray scored the game-winning goal in the third quarter and Campen made two clutch defensive plays in the circle in the final two minutes Thursday night at Nesbitt Stadium to lead Honesdale to its second District 2 Class 3A field hockey title in the last three years with a 2-1 victory.
Campen blocked a shot in front with 1:05 left, but Wyoming Valley West earned two more penalty corners, extending the game past the time that the clock had run out. It was up to Honesdale to either draw an infraction on Wyoming Valley West in its defensive circle or to safely get the ball five yards outside the circle to officially end the Lady Spartans’ untimed attempt and the game.
Once Campen came up with the ball under pressure inside the circle, she calmly maneuvered around attacking players from Wyoming Valley West until safely carrying the ball to the sideline.
“If there was anybody we would want to have the ball on her stick there, it was Claire,” Honesdale coach Rebecca Maciejewski said. “ … I knew she would find an exit to the side and stay in proper position in case they did manage to regain possession.”
The Lady Hornets had never won a district field hockey title prior to the 2020 final, the first of two straight title games it split with Hazleton Area.
The second championship brought on new challenges.
“Being the top seed feels different,” said Maciejewski, who acknowledged being more nervous than usual prior to and during the game.
There were no penalty corners in the first quarter and the teams combined for just one shot, which Honesdale made count.
Jillian Hoey slipped to her knees in the circle, got up quickly and swept a shot into the cage with 1:01 left in the quarter.
Though the scoring chances increased, the 1-0 lead held up into the third quarter.
Laila Zdancewicz took the first shot of the second half and Izzy Kilgallon scored on the rebound 3:25 into the third quarter to lift Wyoming Valley West into the tie.
Honesdale regained the lead less than two minutes later.
The Lady Hornets earned consecutive penalty corners.
Rozlynn Maciejewski got a shot through on the second one and Murray was there on the goal line to deflect it in.
Honesdale protected the lead by holding Wyoming Valley West without a shot or penalty corner for the next 14 minutes and keeping the Lady Spartans scoreless for the remainder of the game despite the late flurry of activity.
The title sends Honesdale into the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament for the second time and gives the Lady Hornets a game close to home.
Honesdale (16-3) plays District 1 fourth-place finisher Spring-Ford (13-10) Tuesday at 6 on the artificial turf stadium field at Wallenpaupack.
A recap of the earlier rounds:
SEMIFINALS
Honesdale 6, Wilkes-Barre Area 0
Makayla Cobourn scored twice to lead Honesdale through the semifinal round Oct. 27.
Wyoming Valley West 1, Hazleton Area 0
Wyoming Valley West went on the road to knock the out the defending champions Oct. 27.
QUARTERFINALS
A roundup including the two quarterfinal games can be found at: FIELD HOCKEY: Crestwood opens title defense with dominant effort – NEPA Sports Nation.
