Mifflin County Field Hockey takes Veteran Cumberland Valley down to the wire, falling 1-0
By Kenny Varner
LEWISTOWN – The young and upstart MIfflin County field hockey team gave Mid-Penn opponent Cumberland Valley everything it could handle Tuesday as the two met up.
In the end, it would be Cumberland Valley that would survive the competition, winning 1-0.
”They played great tonight. I’m very happy with how they played. They should be proud of how they played as well,” said MIfflin County coach Brittany Wilcox. “This is almost the end of our season but I’m really proud of what they’ve done this year.”
Shining for most of the game for MIfflin County was its defensive backfield led by goalie Maddie Norman. The group was tough in the circle, keeping the Eagles frustrated for most of the game.
It was a goal from Hayven Mummah that would be the deciding factor as she scored off a pass from Marrisa Muza, 9:57 in the first quarter.
Starting off the night both teams were in an early battle to try to establish the momentum.
The Lady Huskies had its chances early as they went right at Eagles goalie Katie Hume. Hume had a strong game in the box, finishing with eight saves on the afternoon.
Cumberland Valley led in shots on goal by a 12-11 margin. They also held a slim advantage in corner opportunities 7-6.
After dodging early pressure from the young Huskies, Cumberland Valley drove the ball down and found the back of the net on the Mummah goal at 9:57 in the opening stanza.
Defensively, the Huskies tightened its defense up and shut down the inside running lanes and forcing the Eagles outside and slowing the pace.
After the early Cumberland Valley goal, Mifflin County goalie Maddie Norman was unphased and a force to be reckoned with in the circle .
Going into the second quarter, the Eagles started out strong pushing the deep into MIfflin County territory. But once again, the backfield consisting of Norman, Aubree Dawson, Tai Ematat, Adeline Wilborne and Megan Hartzler were just too tough inside for the Eagles to get a good look at the goal.
The Huskies also had its transition game going, led by Fultz who designated the passes to the front line. The game continued to grow more and more physical as the afternoon wore on.
But neither team would find the opportunity they were looking for to get a goal past the other.
when the dust settled in the half, Cumberland Valley lead by a slim 1-0 advantage.
The game began to mirror each other in the third and fourth quarters as it was a battle of the defenses as both teams were able to come up with the big play when called upon.
Mifflin County will be back in action Friday as they play Carlisle.