Panthers run out of steam in loss
BLOOMSBURG — Bloomsburg showed the ability to clear obstacles and exceed expectations all season long, but ran out of steam on Tuesday.
District 2 runner-up Wyoming Area took control early and finished stronger in a 3-1 win over District 4 champion Panthers in the opening round of the Class A field hockey state tournament.
The Panthers finished 14-6-2.
Bloomsburg coach Chuck Baker knew the Panthers’ hands were going to be full.
“When you get to this level, there is no letdown, no weaker teams,” Baker said. “We knew what we were in store for, but am so proud of what we accomplished this year.”
With a 2-1 lead entering the fourth, the Warriors stayed true to what worked all night to the tune of eight corners and three shots —the last of each proving to be the dagger for the Panthers.
Wyoming Area couldn’t execute its game plan on the corners but finally got one to work when Addyson Dragwa found Morgan Janeski in front of the cage for the final score.
All told, the Warriors finished with a dozen shots and corners for the game.
Bloomsburg’s speed was a factor throughout its district championship run but did little against a Warriors squad that not only kept up but showed better passing and stick control throughout. The recipe led to the Warriors spreading the field out in their favor and keeping the pressure squarely on the Panthers’ defense by finding the open girl.
In a span of 7 minutes, the Warriors made the most of second opportunities. With just under 5 minutes to play in the opening frame, the Warriors took a powerful shot, only to bounce off Hailey Leisering’s pads in goal. Nina Angeli was there for the rebound and the game’s first goal.
Then early in the second quarter, with Nadja Hartmann in goal for the Panthers, the Warriors did much of the same. This time, it was Bianca Pizano who was in the right place at the right time to double the Warriors lead.
The early results were set up not only by adjustments made since falling to Wyoming Seminary last week but by Lyla Rehill and Alexys Moore. The duo consistently outgained and cut through the Panthers' defense, especially down the right side of the field.
“We made a lot of changes after the district championship game to help us be a lot more successful,” Wyoming Area coach Erin McGinley said. “Clearly, we saw that tonight as it was much more of a passing game than a dribbling game, and we were looking for lanes and holes and working on that all week. Going down the right side, that’s our strong side and the defense’s weak side, it’s the easier way to build.”
The Panthers made the necessary adjustments at half, with Baker saying the team’s best offense is a great defense.
“We said that we had to tighten up our blocks and not give them free passes through us and we had to do some doubling and tripling up,” Baker said. “We did and we created that opportunity to score and we jumped on it.”
Bloomsburg, playing with an intensity not seen at all in the first half, kept most of the pressure on the Warriors in the third quarter. The Panthers were awarded four penalty corners in five minutes, its last leading to their only goal. Gracie Brosious was on the receiving end of Courtney Shuman’s pass to cut the deficit in half.
“I just thought they were out-stepping us to the ball,” McGinley said of the Panthers’ third-quarter performance. “We were being a lot more hesitant and not stepping to the ball like we were in the first two quarters. Obviously, that changed in the fourth quarter and that’s ultimately what we need to do for a whole game.”
The Panthers finished with four shots and seven corners — four being awarded in the third.
Not disappointing end
Despite the season concluding on its home turf, Bloomsburg wasn’t hanging its head. In fact, Baker was applauding the team’s efforts before the game’s final horn even sounded.
And for good reason.
The Panthers lost seven seniors from last fall, most of them starters. Baker, though, saw potential still remained on the roster and went about toughening the young team’s schedule in preparation for a playoff run. The result of back-to-back district titles is part of the overall growth, something he emphasized after the game.
“I pulled them aside and said ‘look at what you guys have accomplished,’” Baker said “... It shows that we have to move on in our offseason and play our club and do our other things to bring us back to this point. There were so many people that didn’t think we would be here, and we worked so hard to get here.
“I’m so proud, not only of the district title but of how they played tonight. This was an amazing game against a team that might be the second- or third-best team in the state. It’s just a tremendous team and tremendous game.”
There’s a decent chance the Panthers could be back in this spot next fall.
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