Spring-Ford Rams advance to district quarterfinals after dismantling Springfield-Delco
Elise Reagan's hat trick and Norah Kirsch's eighth shutout secured a 4-0 victory that keeps the Rams' playoff hopes alive following a league title loss.
By Michael Collins ·
Spring-Ford field hockey eliminated Springfield-Delco on Wednesday night, winning 4-0 at Coach McNelly Stadium to open the district tournament.
The No. 5 seed Rams entered the game after losing the Patriot League Conference championship to Boyertown the previous week. They responded with a decisive victory over the No. 12 seed Cougars.
Elise Reagan, the Rams' leading scorer and a recruit for UMass-Amherst, scored three goals. She broke the scoreless tie midway through the second quarter with a penalty stroke with 7:16 remaining on the clock.
Reagan added her second goal one minute later using stick work to beat the defense and placing a low shot into the corner. Addie Striffler made it 3-0 just 90 seconds later after a corner insert from Mia Keating left Striffler open when the Cougars focused on stopping Reagan.
Reagan completed her hat trick six minutes into the second half, also from a corner kick. Spring-Ford won six of 10 corners awarded during the match.
Norah Kirsch, a commit to Northwestern University, recorded her eighth shutout of the season. She made seven saves in the first half, denying Springfield-Delco's best chance, which came from senior Addison Dath.
Kirsch stated that keeping opponents off the board prevents them from building momentum. She noted that the team plays clean and strong to limit the space opponents have.
Springfield-Delco finished its season with a 15-5 record. Seven seniors played in their final game, including goalkeeper Riley McGowan, who recorded six saves.
Spring-Ford coach Jennie Anderson said the team needed to handle adversity after the league loss. She described Reagan and Kirsch as leaders who have directed the defense and finished plays consistently throughout their careers.
Reagan now has 26 goals this season. She credited Kaia Pence with chasing down a ball that looked headed out of bounds, an action that led to the penalty stroke for Reagan's first goal.
The Rams face No. 13 CB South in the district quarterfinals on Friday at 3:45 p.m. at Coach McNelly Stadium. CB South upset No. 4 CB West in the previous round.
District One receives seven of 16 bids to the PIAA Tournament. All but one of the eventual quarterfinalists will advance to the state tournament. Spring-Ford needs one more win to continue its season.
Source: The Reporter
