Notes, stats and more on Boiling Springs, Northern and West Perry's PIAA field hockey finals
It must be déjà vu.
Rematches from the District 3 field hockey championships are set in Saturday's PIAA Class 2A and A finals at Cumberland Valley. Boiling Springs seeks redemption against West Perry in the Class A tilt at 11 a.m. while Northern looks to exact revenge on Warwick in the 2A window at 1 p.m.
Before first pass back Saturday, here's a breakdown of each local matchup.
Boiling Springs (20-5) vs. West Perry (23-0)
How they got here: The Bubblers, after settling for District 3 silver, forged an unprecedented climb up the PIAA ladder. Boiling Springs' biggest win came in the semifinal round opposite previously unbeaten Wyoming Area where an Anna Lucido second-quarter goal held up for a 1-0 victory. Bubbletown burst for four unanswered scores in a 4-1 quarterfinal against Faith Christian and blew out Midd-West in a 10-0 opener.
The Mustangs, 6-2 victors in the District 3 final, have experienced little to no pressure in their PIAA tournament stay. West Perry ousted Newport in a 3-1 semifinal — the Mustangs' third victory over the Buffaloes this season — and blanked Camp Hill in a 6-0 quarterfinal. A 4-0 opener against Selinsgrove set the operation in motion.
Boiling Springs player to watch: It's difficult to circle one Bubbler player, so let's highlight the entire defensive unit. In Tuesday's semifinal, the Boiling Springs back line turned away a Warrior attack that included four Division I commits and averaged more than five goals per game. Bubbler netminder Ellie Shoemaker withstood three shots on goal, and Lucido, Gracie Bush and Libby Scherer erased a collection of additional threats.
West Perry player to watch: Autumn Albright. The Penn State commit is the Mustangs' Swiss Army knife. Albright contributes to both sides of the ball as a defensive midfielder, helping pitch three shutouts this postseason while pocketing two goals and four assists in three PIAA contests. The senior maintains her production all while playing with a broken jaw.
Notes: The Bubblers have reached their second state final in the last three years. Bubbletown lifted the 2022 trophy against Wyoming Area with a 1-0 victory, the program's lone title. Senior Kate Yenser and junior Lexi Boyle are the two varsity players remaining from that team.
The Mustangs are appearing in their first PIAA championship bout in program history. West Perry's 2023 state playoff run — a 4-3 semifinal loss to Oley Valley — was the previous program benchmark.
Northern (22-3) vs. Warwick (22-1)
How they got here: The Polar Bears shook the sting of District 3 silver and attacked their PIAA competition with vengeance. Northern laid the foundation with an 8-0 opener against Dallas before springing to 2-1 and 4-0 quarterfinal and semifinal victories against District 1 perennials Upper Perkiomen and Kennett.
The Warriors haven't skipped a beat since mining their first District 3 gold in 19 years. Warwick cranked out 4-1 wins against Radnor and Hershey in first-round and quarterfinal play before edging Palmyra in a 1-0 semifinal. The final four victory was the Warriors' second against the Cougars this fall, having stunned the defending state silver medalists in a 3-1 District 3 semifinal.
Northern player to watch: Olivia Anderson. The North Carolina pledge shifted into second gear once the calendar flipped to PIAA play. Anderson erupted for seven goals across her last three games, netting a hat trick against Dallas followed by a pair of two-score showcases versus Upper Perkiomen and Kennett.
Warwick player to watch: Calli Martin. Head coach Ron Stief has myriad weapons at his disposal, but in Tuesday's semifinal, Martin was the sharpest. Her aerial with four minutes left in the third quarter accounted as the game-winning goal.
Notes: The Polar Bears are testing uncharted waters with their first PIAA final appearance Saturday. Tuesday was also a notch in the Northern record books as the first semifinal scrap in program history. Anderson is on milestone watch Saturday, sitting at 99 goals for her career.
The Warriors have been around the PIAA final block. Warwick last appeared in the championship round in 2011, losing a 2-1 overtime slugfest to Hempfield. Prior to the setback, the Warriors captured titles in 1897, 1999 and 2000.
Christian Eby is a sports reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com . Love
