Oley Valley's 'team bonding,' passing game carried the Lynx to the 2023 PIAA Class 1A championship game

If you were really paying attention during the Oley Valley versus West Perry field hockey game Tuesday, it wasn't easy to predict a winner even when the Lynx were up 3-0. 

That's mostly because it was the 2023 PIAA Class 1A semifinal round and big leads in big games can easily be diminished. 

Oley Valley, 22-1-1, prevailed with the 4-3 narrow win, due in large part, to a lot of communication and strategy. The Lynx play Lackawanna Trail, 15-4-2, at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Cumberland Valley High School. 

It's a first for Lackawanna. But, the Lynx have been to the finale having won the state title three times. Their last gold was in 2000.

Nothing has been handed to Oley this season. In order for them to get where they are, they had to squeeze out a competitive win against West Perry, as well as maintain its top seed throughout the state brackets. 

Before the Lynx arrived at the state round, Oley navigated the District 3 Class 1A bracket, too. They came out on top with the District title after beating Susquenita 3-1. 

All three teams - Oley, West Perry, and Susquenita - are in District 3, where the competition is easily one of most thrilling to watch. District 3 had the most representation in the state bracket, which included Oley, West Perry, Susquenita, Bishop McDevitt, ELCO, Newport, and last year's state champs Boiling Springs. 

"We worked so hard this season," senior Izzy Buehler said after claiming the District 3 title. "We've been coming together as a team. We're so close-knit and united this season. As you can see, it shows in our game. Passing is second nature. That's because we're so tight together. It's all about team bonding." 

Team bonding mattered Tuesday. Oley scored its goals in duos: the first goal was a corner play that went from Lauren Habakus to Mia Woodard. The second Oley goal was in the second off another corner and finished by the duo of Julia Wagner to Izzy Buehler. 

Moments later, Oley struck again on a corner, Julia Wagner to Buehler. The Lynx continued to see that the post was wide open and used it to their advantage.

They were able to score their third goal before halftime on a Taylor Vaccaro assist to Ava Walters for the finish. West Perry's rally began late in the second, when Autumn Albright smashed a ball into the circle.

The ball had so much heat that it went airborne off a deflection. Shay Dyer was standing at post and pounded the ball into the cage from the air. The goal was scored with 14.7 seconds remaining in the half. 

The Mustangs regrouped during the break. They proved to be a quick study of Oley having made adjustments to slow the Lynx down along the sidelines.

And, once they figured out the Lynx's style of play, they were able utilize the middle of the field. Molly Zimmerman, Albright and Maddie Bell were among the distributors who found Jordan Byers.

Byers, for the Mustangs, ran to the cage twice, where she was finally free to shoot her reverse shot. She scored the two goals in the third 33 seconds apart, which tied the game 3-3. 

Oley also refined its play after the third quarter break, coming out at the top of the fourth to score on another corner exploiting the open post. The Lynx then burned the final 3:05 on the clock, protecting their lead to take the win. 

The Lynx's passing game is central to their game strategy. It's how they've been accomplishing the big wins, senior Taylor Vaccaro said after the District 3 championship game. The eight seniors have led by example, but grade and age are a non-factor. 

"We work on that a lot at practice," Vaccaro said about passing around defense. "And, I'm just glad that we followed through with our game plan and we got the win." 

As for the team bonding, the Lynx "always do a group hangout before a championship game." 

"There's not grade by grade separation," Buehler said. "The seniors, they'll step up, but we all come together. Our freshmen and sophomores are filling roles." 

Oley's culture from year-to-year is to "embrace" shared experiences, which makes "a huge difference in the play on the field," Oley Valley head coach Tiffany Cappellano said after the District 3 title win. 

"Part of our game plan is to share the ball to make sure that we...who can we make better today," she said. "Who can we make look good today? Deferring, always, to someone else. And, understanding our role. Every time we're on the field, there are certain set plays that are the same. But your role changes. Getting them to understand that and buy into that has been a huge part of our success." 

The Lynx like to focus on the small game, she said. 

"And, utilizing aerials," Cappellano said. "We try to get by the first line of defense, getting their defense on the baseline, because it's really hard to play defense like that." 

Cappellano said she couldn't be more proud of her team for the season they've had together. 

"The way these girls work hard, the way they celebrate, the way they buy into things," she said, "I couldn't say more positive things. The way that I love them. It's been such a fun season." 

Photo: Oley Valley vs Susquenita, 2023 District 3 Class 1A championship (Bob Benscoter, November 2023)