Gwynedd Mercy tops Selinsgrove
Nov. 7—SELINSGROVE — Alli Bucher provided a glimpse into the gathering of Selinsgrove players and coaches following Tuesday's season-ending loss in the state field hockey playoffs.
The Seals fell in to a semicircle around the cage at the south end of Bolig Stadium to reminisce about what they'd accomplished this season and, for their large senior class, over the last four.
Selinsgrove coach Roz Erb and her staff coaxed laughter and smiles from the sad faces and tears of the 2-0 loss to Gwynedd Mercy Academy.
"(Erb said) that there's no other team she'd rather do this with," said Bucher, one of 10 seniors. "We just put all our effort in and gave it our all."
The Seals rode the brilliant work of sophomore goalie Bella Auman to a one-goal halftime deficit, and persevered after a potential game-tying goal was waved off in the third quarter. They continued to create challenges long after the Monarchs doubled their lead in the Class 2A first-round game.
"We're central Pa. We aren't Philly. We aren't Scranton. We aren't even Lancaster-Lebanon. Our kids scrap ... and we're competing very well," said Erb. "There have been times in the past, in this round, where we've played a team and we have been hesitant and nervous — and we were not that. We were confident and aggressive.
"That makes me extremely happy."
Selinsgrove shared the Heartland Athletic Conference-Division I crown with Lewisburg — a winner Tuesday in the Class A tournament — and won the Districts 2/4 Class 2A subregional championship over Crestwood after losing to the Comets in each of the previous two seasons. Only the state-mandated path through a subregional interrupted the program's streaks of 17 district titles and 20 state playoff appearances last season.
"I think we accomplished a lot," said Bucher, "and I'm really satisfied."
They began the season with the pieces in place to contend in the division and subregional. Senior starters dotted the field, from forwards Bucher and Carly Aument, to midfielders Ali Beddall, Abbey Gearhart and Lexy Freed, to back Lexi Felty.
However, goalie was unsettled with junior Katie Varner and freshman Bella Furgison vying with Auman for the start. Auman emerged over the course of the season, and she was at her best Tuesday, making 10 first-half saves against a team that boasts four Division I college commitments.
"I can't say I did well," Auman said. "I think the team as a whole did well, and they really just pushed me to be the best I could be. I can't take any of the credit for what I do. It's my teammates, especially the other keepers — they really pushed me."
Gwynedd Mercy (14-10) finished fourth in District 1, which is populated by national and regional powers such as Villa Maria Academy, Mount St. Joseph and Radnor. The Monarchs drew four penalty corners in the first quarter Tuesday, three in a one-possession sequence that saw Auman turn away six shots before Fairfield pledge Rory Saxon followed up a miss at the 5:48 mark.
Gwynedd's fifth and final corner came with 2:08 to play in the first half, and Auman kicked away Ohio State commit Maddie Bogle's drive.
"It does feel good to know that I kept a team with very, very good, talented players to a 1-0 score (at half)," Auman said. "They had a very strong push ... and I think that is one of the hardest teams we've faced."
Auman had a 12-save game (and stopped all five shootout attempts) in the subregional semifinals, but her 10-save half was at least as impressive. The Monarchs made it 2-0 with 2:58 in the third only after being credited with a goal out of a 10-second scrum in front of the cage with bodies scrambling on the turf.
"Super-proud of her mental toughness," Erb said of Auman. "Certainly a great ending for her after a little bit of rocky start. You're talking about a kid that doesn't even have a driver's license yet — she's a baby — and having two years to continue to develop ... She showed up."
The Seals (15-7) appeared to tie the score with 9:10 to play in the third when Freed settled Beddall's pass off Bucher's corner insert and swept the ball into the cage. The goal was negated because Freed swept the ball into the air, rather than flicking it past Monarchs goalie Jenny Keagy.
Two minutes later, Selinsgrove had a four-corner sequence changed the momentum, if not the score. Gwynedd weathered another series of corners in the middle of the fourth to shut out the Seals for only the third time this season.
"We executed exactly what we wanted to do against their corners. We got several shot opportunities that were great looks, it's just unfortunate," said Erb. "I thought we executed them well, but just didn't put the number on the scoreboard."
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PIAA CLASS 2A FIELD HOCKEY
FIRST ROUND
GWYNEDD MERCY 2, SELINSGROVE 0
First quarter
GM: Rory Saxon, 5:48.
Third quarter
GM: Emma Kerr, 2:58.
Shots: GM 12-8. Corners: S 9-5. Cards: Gwynedd Mercy, Ava Huntley (2nd, 11:47, green). Saves: Gwynedd Mercy 8 (Jenny Keagy); Selinsgrove 10 (Bella Auman).
