‘This was a very sentimental turf for me,’ goalie Kai Killian on winning gold in the ‘25 PA Field Hockey Senior Cup

Spring-Ford’s Marissa Cagliola (Temple University) tries to set up her shot while under pressure from Lower Dauphin goalie Kai Killian (Indiana University) and Palmyra’s Bri Eckenroth (Central Michigan).

Kai Killian has more than a decade of memories at Kreiser-Hallman Field.

Her last Lower Dauphin High School game there, however, was a double overtime 2-1 loss to Central Bucks West in the first round of the 2024 PIAA Class 3A field hockey tournament.

Killian’s final competition as a high school student was Sunday afternoon. She and Team Hershey finished first in the West pool to compete in the gold medal championship game of the second annual Pennsylvania Field Hockey Senior Cup hosted by Female Athlete News.

Although Killian allowed one goal, she and her backline withstood significant overtime pressure from Philadelphia North to pick up a 2-1 win. Bri Eckenroth scored the game-winner with only 20 seconds remaining on the clock.

Despite the rosters changing completely from last year, Hershey was able to again return to the championship but this time, they played against Philadelphia North. Hershey defeated Lancaster 3-2 in overtime in the inaugural event in 2024.

For Killian, the weekend had some extra meaning because, living only about five minutes from the field and being in one of the most successful programs in the state, she spent an important amount of her life on that field.

To have her time there end in a state tournament loss – or a Senior Cup loss – would have been disappointing. She at least got to walk off the field one last time with another gold medal draped around her neck.

She will become a Hoosier in the fall when she puts on the goalie pads for Indiana University.

“I was so happy to play competitively for the last time on my home turf,” she said. “This was a very sentimental turf for me. I have a lot of memories. I’ve been playing here since preschool. This last little ‘hurrah’ is very exciting for me.”

She split the game with high school teammate Addie Whitmyer, another Division I goalie who is headed to Longwood.

After a scoreless first half, Philadelphia North went ahead on Aimee Largoza’s goal vs. Killian early in the third quarter. Brianna Eckenroth of Palmyra (Central Michigan) tied it only a few minutes later, and the game went to overtime.

Colleen Conlan, a University of Massachusetts recruit from Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, had the chance to play in both games. She was on the roster for Philadelphia South, but because Sara Davis, of Agnes Irwin and future Franklin & Marshall field hockey goalie, had a previous commitment, Conlan stayed around and tended goal for Philadelphia North, too.

Conlan only allowed three goals in more than eight quarters of play. Killian said after the first goal, she had to quickly recover mentally.

“This sport is all about goals,” she said. “Statistically, at one point, you’re going to give one up. … We persevered through everything and kept making solid plays until we saw an opportunity to break out. That’s what sold our team to where we took our opportunities, and we executed.”

Largoza — a Villanova commit — scored when she lured Killian out of the cage. She was able get the ball behind Killian for the goal.

“It was a really great experience,” Largoza said. “I got to play with people from club (WC Eagles). I’ve never been able to play with them or against them in the high school season. It was really nice to play with all of them in a really competitive game.”

Killian said that she enjoyed the mix of players from her school, rival Hershey, and the surrounding areas.

“I had a lot of fun this weekend,” Killian said. “A lot of new people to meet. We played really hard and really well this weekend. It was interesting to share perspectives and stories. We spent four years competing and not knowing what the other side was thinking. Many times we lost; many times we won. It was really fun.”

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Tim Shoemaker is a freelance writer.