State College tops MIfflin County in epic last second shot

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: September 6, 2022

By Kenny Varner

STATE COLLEGE – Round one!

Whenever Mifflin County gets together with State College in field hockey you are unarguably seeing the best from both teams. Tuesday was no exception. The two played down to the final second before a winner was declared. With no time left on the clock, State College made the most it’s last corner opportunity to end the contest, winning 4-to-3 at Memorial Stadium in State College. The game had a playoff atmosphere to it from beginning to the end. It was a game that both teams can take a lot of positives out of as Mifflin County rallied three different times to tie the contest.

“We are busting our butts every time we play State College. We are always thinking and preparing for districts, what do we need to do, how do we adjust from the last time we played them. We gave it our all today,” said MIfflin County coach Anne Gates. “I love their resilience. We played an incredible game. We made the adjustments we needed to make from the beginning and we were right there with them.”

Going into the final stanza, MIfflin County found itself trailing 2-1.

However, MIfflin County lined up for a corner opportunity and made the most of it. With the ball sent into the front of the box, a battle unsure and after a couple of hits, the ball bounced to Lyza Underhill and she was in the right place at the right time, sending it in on an unassisted goal, tying it at 12:07.

But the lead would not last as the Little Lions battled their way back on the scoreboard just minutes later.

After switching the momentum and putting the ball back into the Huskies’ side, State College continued to put the pressure on and at 5:40 left in regulation, the Little Lions Victoria blasted a shot that got passed MIfflin County goalie Sophie McCurdy, putting State College back on top.

“I’m super proud!100 percent! The emotions of that game went up and down and that’s what lifes all about and that’s what sports is all about,” said State College coach Sharon Herlocher. “It was awesome to see a senior Quinn Coburn get a pass from Hannah Garlin, both seniors to finish that with an exclamation point.”

However, MIfflin County wasn’t quite done yet when Monica Druckemiller drove the ball down towards the net, her tenacious will to score was not going to denied as she blasted a shot from the right side of the State College goal, tying things at three with only 3:04 left in regulation.

The game looked to be heading into overtime but in the final seconds, State College was awarded one last corner opportunity.

On the hit into play, Quinn Coburn was able to fight to get the ball and sent a screamer in the goal, ending the contest in nail biting fashion.

In the first half, State College’s Hannah Garlin got the game started with an unassisted goal at 8:32.

In Second quarter, MIfflin County battled back to tie things when

Hailee Sheetz smoked an unassisted shot through at 10:33.

But State College ended the half taking the lead at 2-1 on a goal by Carly Erickson from a Joelle Bartlett pass at 7:10.

Most of the fans are excited for the second time these two legendary programs meet. Stay tuned.

State College 4, Mifflin County 3

MC 0 1 0 2 -3

SC 1 1 0 2 – 4

Scoring

First Quarter