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PIAA Field Hockey: Late defensive play ends Lake-Lehman’s postseason run

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<p>WHITEHALL &#8212; From the very top of the circle, Kelsey Farkas took a Hail Mary type of shot.</p><p>It wound up sending Merion Mercy to the state final.</p><p>Amidst some confusion, Crestwood didn&#8217;t play the shot by Farkas, which easily slid into the cage and was ruled a good goal and the only score for District 1 champion Merion Mercy&#8217;s 1-0 victory over the Comets in a PIAA Class 2A field hockey semifinal game at Whitehall&#8217;s Zephyr Sports Complex.</p><p>A perplexed Crestwood team briefly protested the call, thinking the shot came from outside the circle when all scoring attempts must come from inside the circle by field hockey rules.</p><p>&#8220;We thought it was outside,&#8221; Crestwood coach Patsy Moratori said. &#8220;Jordan (Crestwood&#8217;s St. Joe&#8217;s-bound forward Olenginski) says no, it wasn&#8217;t. But I think our defense thought it was outside and they probably let it in.&#8221;</p><p>The Comets didn&#8217;t make a play on the shot, which is common in field hockey on shots taken from outside the circle, because they become dead balls when they enter the circle from outside but are live when touched inside the circle.</p><p>&#8220;I think they thought it was outside, at first,&#8221; Farkas said of the Comets, &#8220;but the ref called it right away. Someone pushed me the ball right at the top. I just hit it in, hoping someone would tip it. I think I was right inside (the circle), and it just rolled in.&#8221;</p><p>That score, which came with 17:21 to play, decided a defensive game where scoring chances were so tough to come by, Crestwood didn&#8217;t even get a shot off the entire day and neither goalie made a save.</p><p>&#8220;This turf is a little fast,&#8221; Moratori said. &#8220;Both teams, when they moved the ball, it was going off their sticks. And the defense was able to scoop them up once they (passes) got off the stick.&#8221;</p><p>After 15-6-1 Crestwood turned away an early surge by 20-4 Merion Mercy surge, most of the first 20 minutes were played in Comets territory.</p><p>That changed a bit in the second half, as the Comets began making a few pushes into Merion Mercy territory, but could get shots off.</p><p>&#8220;We said we have to work on faster, free hits,&#8221; Moratori said. &#8220;Those led to a little more aggression, and some more breakaways.&#8221;</p><p>Yet, Merion Mercy&#8217;s defense never let the Comets break free.</p><p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve been having trouble all year getting shots off,&#8221; Moratori said.</p><p>Not that Merion Mercy had many chances, either.</p><p>The Golden Bears were credited with four total shots, with three of them missing the cage. The other one came when Crestwood just stepped aside, and appeared stunned when the shot by Farkas that coasted into the cage was ruled as the game&#8217;s lone goal and ultimately ending the Comets&#8217; season in the state semifinal for the second straight year.</p><p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think anybody expected us to be here,&#8221; Moratori said, &#8220;after losing eight starters. That&#8217;s a huge tribute to how much work they put in and how much they improved this year. The pressure was off a little bit this year, we were more of the underdogs. It was enjoyable.&#8221;</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Merion Mercy 1, Crestwood 0</strong></p><p><strong>Crestwood`0`0`&#8212;`0</strong></p><p><strong>Merion Mercy`0`1`&#8212;`1</strong></p><p><strong>Second half &#8212;</strong> 2. MM, Kelsey Farkas, 17:21.</p><p><strong>Shots &#8212;</strong> CRE 0; MM 4. <strong>Saves &#8212;</strong> CRE 0 (Marlee Dillon); MM 0 (Shannon Bedrossian). <strong>Penalty corners &#8212;</strong> CRE 3; MM 8.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Crestwood&#8217;s Emma Janosczyk, right, attempts to block a pass from Merion Mercy&#8217;s Caitlin Farkas during the Class 2A state semifinal field hockey game at Whitehall High School on Tuesday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL111616FHCrestwoodMerionMercy1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Crestwood&#8217;s Emma Janosczyk, right, attempts to block a pass from Merion Mercy&#8217;s Caitlin Farkas during the Class 2A state semifinal field hockey game at Whitehall High School on Tuesday. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL111616FHCrestwoodMerionMercy2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Crestwood&#8217;s Jordan Olenginski, left, takes possession against Merion Mercy&#8217;s Alexandria Lavelle during the PIAA Class 2A semifinal field hockey game at Whitehall High School on Tuesday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL111616FHCrestwoodMerionMercy2.jpg</photo1><caption1>Crestwood&#8217;s Jordan Olenginski, left, takes possession against Merion Mercy&#8217;s Alexandria Lavelle during the PIAA Class 2A semifinal field hockey game at Whitehall High School on Tuesday. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL111616FHCrestwoodMerionMercy3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Merion Mercy&#8217;s Alexandria Lavelle, left, and Crestwood&#8217;s Mackenzie Kile battle for possession during their Class 2A state semifinal game at Whitehall High School on Tuesday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_TTL111616FHCrestwoodMerionMercy3.jpg</photo2><caption2>Merion Mercy&#8217;s Alexandria Lavelle, left, and Crestwood&#8217;s Mackenzie Kile battle for possession during their Class 2A state semifinal game at Whitehall High School on Tuesday. </caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Paul Sokoloski</p><p>psokoloski@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Paul Sokoloski at 570-829-7143 or on Twitter @ TLPaulSokoloski</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Communication a problem for Crestwood in PIAA Class 2A field hockey semifinal loss