District playoff video games usually embody hits, hurts, and bruises which can be remembered for a lifetime.
However, there isn’t any ache equal to the advanced emotions of sudden loss in a close-knit group.
Mechanicsburg discipline hockey pushed by its feelings Saturday morning of desirous to win and help the Dollman household. Andrew Dollman handed away unexpectedly final week abandoning his household, amongst them, are Madi, a junior discipline hockey participant, and Isaac, a senior soccer participant.
The Wildcats gained 2-1 in opposition to Cumberland Valley at Troopers and Sailors Memorial Stadium.
With the win, the ‘Cats safe their spot within the District 3 Class 3A semifinals, in addition to their spot within the first spherical of the 2024 PIAA Class 3A postseason.
“I really feel like our crew is such a giant household, and even, the entire group, simply got here collectively and I feel it’s actually particular, what we have now in Mechanicsburg,” sophomore Mary Olivetti mentioned.
Olivetti scored the game-winning aim early within the fourth. And, as seen at numerous discipline hockey video games, the women celebrated. The hugs, although, had a a lot deeper which means.
Mechanicsburg works the ball out and across the circle. Entry and shot.
2-1 Mechanicsburg 13:36 pic.twitter.com/aLyMPkBxT9
— FemaleAthleteNews (@Female_FANews) October 26, 2024
“At the moment, we actually wanted to win, we wished to win actually dangerous for Madi Dollman,” mentioned Olivetti, who was struggling to seek out her phrases. “We actually wished to win that for her. So, we may go on to the following spherical…and preserve going and going.”
She scored the successful aim off a passing sequence that began outdoors the circle. The ball was handed from stick to stay after which despatched in, the place Olivetti was capable of get her stick on it and rating close to the publish.
A handful of the ‘Cats athletes adorned Madi’s jersey quantity, No. 5 on their shoulders, utilizing non permanent tattoos, exhibiting their unity and help for his or her lady.
The sport started with a solemn feeling simply after 10 a.m. Just a few hours later, all of them knew they’d be attending a funeral at 2 p.m.
“We’re very unified, in the truth that we’re taking part in for a teammate that not too long ago misplaced her father,” Mechanicsburg head coach Tonya Brown mentioned.
She added: “The women have actually come collectively by it and are supporting one another and this was a giant recreation, they usually’re honoring their teammate by taking part in.”
Brown, who additionally was celebrating her birthday, mentioned she was pleased with her ladies as a result of she knew they had been fascinated by the funeral through the recreation. She mentioned taking part in the game is nice for his or her psychological well being as they proceed to work by their emotions.
There was little or no psychological overview of the competitors post-game. The sport was very even, and Brown acknowledged Cumberland Valley’s goalkeeper Katie Hume. Hume, and her protection, was capable of forestall Mechanicsburg from capitalizing on a number of scoring alternatives.
Mechanicsburg got here on robust, scoring its first aim within the first quarter, off the crew’s first penalty nook. They scored with 10:37 remaining within the first. Olivetti reverse handed to Brielle Garman, who tapped the ball previous Hume.
Mechanicsburg 1, CV 0
First nook for the Cats. 10 extra minutes within the first.
District 3, Quarterfinals pic.twitter.com/E0icdNHgwo
— FemaleAthleteNews (@Female_FANews) October 26, 2024
Kayla Weldon then had her flip within the fourth being the distributor to Olivetti, who once more, on a discipline aim, scored the one-point edge they wanted to win.
It took the Eagles 5 consecutive corners to attain their solely aim of the sport. It occurred proper earlier than halftime: Morgan Smeltz to Lexi Hunter.
Tied 1-1 9:07 pic.twitter.com/HXYmtgCW2B
— FemaleAthleteNews (@Female_FANews) October 26, 2024
Cumberland Valley and Mechanicsburg have a longstanding rivalry, which was reignited within the 2024 Fall marketing campaign after the PIAA introduced new statewide realignments. The Wildcats moved into the Class 3A standings, which meant they’d have at the very least two conferences with the Eagles. Cumberland Valley remained in Class 3A.
The ‘Cats gained the primary contest 2-0. The groups tied 0-0 within the second. And, Mechanicsburg gained the third recreation.
However, none of that gave the impression to be the point of interest of the quarterfinal spherical. Cumberland Valley introduced flowers and a card for Mechanicsburg’s discipline hockey household. And, Brown, postgame, was ensuring one among her captains had the sport ball for the Dollmans.
“I feel our protection continues to enhance every recreation,” Cumberland Valley head coach Ashley Taylor Hooper mentioned. “They proceed to be affected person and stop scoring on corners. Most of the time, I feel we had been capable of shut them down defensively. It was 4 pictures in opposition to six pictures. Pictures smart, it was very comparable. We have to regroup for Wednesday.”
Mechanicsburg will play both Manheim Township or State School on Wednesday on the increased seed. All District 3 recreation tickets are $6 and might be bought on-line.
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Picture: Cumberland Valley at Mechanicsburg, 2024 District 3 Class3 quarterfinals. Jana Benscoter