Palmyra's young backfield, and Mechanicsburg's new faces, here's how both coaches see their 2023 high school field hockey season
Win, lose, or draw, Palmyra and Mechanicsburg has become a high school field hockey game not to miss.
"I think we were really excited to play this game, ya know, again," Cougar senior Keely Bowers said after Palmyra's 2-1 win on Wednesday. "Coming off last year, it was a tough loss. I think we were ready to get back out there. And, I think we played as a team and worked well with one another. And, we're happy with that."
Standing alongside her was senior Morgan Lantz, who said Bowers was "speaking for everyone."
Palmyra repeatedly reloads field hockey athletes year after year, often sending a drove of them off to play on Division I, II, and III teams. Last year, Mechanicsburg showed them that the Wildcats were catching up.
The Mid-Penn Conference teams, also in District 3, made it all the way to the 2022 PIAA Class 2A championship game.
And, last year, the tension between the teams continued to climb throughout the season as they met four times.
Two during the regular season, once in the District 3 playoffs, and then the finale. Not only did the 'Cats win the final game in overtime, but also, every field athlete on Mechanicsburg's 7-aside sudden victory team touched the ball that ended up being a game-winning goal scored by now Lock Haven freshman Gracyn Catalano.
"I feel like Palmyra is an awesome team and any time that you can stay competitive with them like that, and have an opportunity to tie it up at the end, and it be competitive like that, it tells us we're just where we need to be," Mechanicsburg head coach Tonya Brown said. "We just need a few more games under our belts. I said to the girls, when we come back to them, it'll be a brand-new game. We'll be ready to really play."
Despite the dripping humidity and high temps, the evening game showcased the early progress of two competitive teams. Palmyra has an experienced core.
Among them are Bowers, Lantz, and Hadley Hoffsmith. Rising underclassman Jovie Weaver also packs a punch.
But, Palmyra head coach Kent Harshman said he's working on improving his less experienced backfield, who made him proud in the game against Mechanicsburg.
He said he's still focused on long-term goals, including the state championship at Cumberland Valley High School on Saturday, Nov. 19.
"We don’t have the depth that we had last year, but we’re good," he said. "We’re very solid. But, it’s particularly tough when you don’t have the depth on a night like this when it’s this hot. And, yeah, it was less so at 7 o’clock. That takes a lot out of these kids. They hydrated today. We lost one player in the fourth quarter, because of the heat and the humidity. Yes, they got a goal and the ball bounced around a little bit in there."
Harshman specifically credited the 2-1 victory to the efforts of his learning midfield and defenders: Payton Kane, Peyton Bean, AJ Walker, and Addie Sholly.
"I thought we had an outstanding game defensively," he said. "Liv Gain was excellent in the midfield, and of course, the rest of our players, Hadley and Keely on down the line. But, a particular shoutout to our defensive players, who I thought did an outstanding job."
Bean is "signed, sealed, and delivered to Millersville," he said.
"She's made tremendous strides in the past few years," Harshman said. "AJ Walker, our left back, her eye and hand coordination is amazing. She's playing lights out for us. I'm really pleased in the backfield. People thought coming into this year that our backfield was going to be our weakness, and I thought tonight they showed to be really strong."
Mechanicsburg is in a similar situation.
The Cats only have two seniors, Alana Shimp and Joy Lippert, and graduated a squad of state champs. However, they have experienced freshman who proudly wear the Cats uniform.
Two you can't miss: Liberty and Mary Olivetti.
"They’re very competitive players, they never quit," Brown said. "I’m sure they’re not happy yet. And, I’m fine with that. Because they’re going to bring that spirit of ‘we’re going to win.’ They’re very coachable. They’ll do anything we ask them to do. We changed the formation at the end; and they reacted very well with us changing things around in the middle of the game."
Mechanicsburg has been known for its passing game the past few years, but now you can also check off speed, speed, and more speed.
"The new storyline is to keep the established tradition going," Brown said. "That we are going to be competitive in this league. We’re no longer somebody that other teams are going to beat up. They’re going to make sure that that keeps going. I’m already so proud of them. We’re not starting completely over; we’re just reevaluating where we need to be and getting ready for the next game."
Palmyra is currently ranked No. 10 nationally by MAX Field Hockey and No. 4 in Pennsylvania. Mechanicsburg is an 'others considered' rank in Pennsylvania.
The Game
The action was some of the best you'll see in high school field hockey, and this was just a September warm-up. Bowers cracked the cage first on a corner.
And, then she assisted Lantz on her goal. Talking about her assist, Bowers said she trusts her teammates.
"I'm just thinking, alright, I'm outside the 25," she said. "I know I have, like, tippers, like Morgan, and other forwards in there. My goal was just to get it into them and I know they'll do their job and their part."
Palmyra's intensity was felt when they cheered SCIJ in their huddle, a chant embraced by the Cougars for a very long time. It stands for Strength. Courage. Intensity. Joy.
"Ball movement," Lantz said when asked what Palmyra did right in the game.
But, when it came to securing the win, Lantz nabbed the insurance goal in the third using "patience," she said.
When Bowers sent the ball into the circle, Lantz had a few seconds and had several shot options at her disposal.
Her thought process: "made sure I received it. I had it. And, I took my shot."
She hurled the ball above low-to-the-ground defenders and a poised goalie into the net off her back foot.
"She's got quick reflexes," Bowers said giggling.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, Mechanicsburg built its momentum up to a peak.
With 9:15 remaining in the game, Mary Olivetti got her team a corner call when she got Palmyra's defense to foul.
The insert was sent to the top, Liberty Olivette made a slight dump pass to the left of the cage, and Kayla Weldon knocked it in. The score was 2-1.
On the next whistle to restart the game after the goal, the Cougars barreled down the field and immediately was awarded a corner. The initial shot was too high, which was called by the umpire.
The turnover didn't last long, as the Cougars earned another corner. The Cats broke up the corner and grinded out a right side fast break down the line. Nearing the final minutes of the game, one Palmyra player was green carded for stick obstruction.
And, while Mechanicsburg had a temporary advantage, the game ended 2-1 in favor of Palmyra.