'It’s good to get the reps in, but obviously it feels great knowing that my teammates are there to support me,' Cedar Crest's Danielle Schroll on her hat trick against Governor Mifflin

Cedar Crest field hockey is off to a stronger start this Fall than it's had in recent years.

Coming off a 3-15 overall record from the 2022 season, the Falcons already have a 3-0 record. Their recent shutout win against Governor Mifflin is another confidence boost heading into the 2023 season.

 “I think last year’s team, they did a great job,” Cedar Crest head coach Alicia Arnold said. “We improved every game. Even though we only had three wins, our other games were very close. In fact, last year we lost to Governor Mifflin in overtime. I think the girls believe that we’re already much farther now than we were last year.”

Two senior captains, Reese Arnold and Danielle Schroll, each played key roles in the Falcons’ Wednesday night win. Reese held down the backfield to keep the Mustangs from the cage.

“Since we weren’t super busy back there, it shows that we’re all improving overall and working together well,” she said of the shutout.

On the offensive end, Schroll tallied three of Cedar Crest’s five goals.

“It feels great,” she said. “It’s good to just get the reps in, but obviously it feels great knowing that my teammates are there to support me.”

Cedar Crest had to figure out Governor Mifflin's defense before they were able to score. Senior midfielder Sierra Margut was able to connect with the goal with 5 minutes remaining in the second quarter. 

Four minutes later, Schroll ripped a shot - from the top of the circle on -  a corner. Margut inserted and was credited with the assist. 

“I was kinda down about my other corners,” Schroll said. “They weren’t really going the way I wanted. But all my teammates were there like, ‘You got it.’ So, I was like, ‘Alrighty I got it and it just went in.”

Schroll’s second goal, a reverse lift over the goalie’s pads, was scored in the third.

Her final goal in the fourth quarter turned heads.

Schroll intercepted a back pass from Governor Mifflin’s defense, used her quick stick skills to get through four Mustang defenders, and got a shot past goalkeeper Addy Swayne.

“My thought process was ‘Just keep going!’” she said.

Cedar Crest’s quick attacking speed all game gave them an edge over Governor Mifflin. But the Mustangs still were able to generate offense throughout the game, earning four corners and getting off six shots against Falcon freshman goalie Mikalyn Weaber.

“Speed is everything,” Reese said. “It’s everything you want. Getting to that ball first.”

Cedar Crests' coaching staff couldn't hide their proud moments.

“My one coach on the one goal jumped on the field, and I had to get her off the field,” Arnold said.

The team’s dynamic reflects Arnold's main coaching goals.

“Getting along on and off the field and believing that the outcome will take care of itself,” she said. “That’s the biggest thing in athletics in high school: to have fun and enjoy it and create family.”

She highlighted the team’s four seniors: Margut, Schroll, Reese, and Anna Moyer.

“They’re all great athletes,” Arnold said. “They’re committed to this team. They’ve built a great team chemistry and then we have this great, solid group of underclassmen. It’s just about continuing to build family and believe in each other and just working hard.”