MECHANICSBURG – Business as usual unfolded for the Mechanicsburg field hockey team at Memorial Park Stadium on Senior Night.
Libby Olivetti netted three second half goals, and assisted on two other, to help propel the Wildcats to a 6-1 Mid-Penn Conference Commonwealth Division victory over State College Wednesday night.
The win guarantees the Wildcats at least a tie for the Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division title.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mechanicsburg took a 1-0 lead into the intermission on a goal from Kenzie Musselman in the 11th minute. That score likely would have been higher but for State College goalkeeper Cora Bierly, who made several terrific stops to thwart Wildcat scoring chances.
The Widcats offense scored five second half goals, starting with Kayla Weldon in the 33rd, minute, followed by Olivetti in the 35th and 45th minute. Avery Rutter scored in the 48th minute and Olivetti connected again in the 49th.
Reagan Dare put State College on the scoreboard with less than three minutes remaining in the contest.
BIG PICTURE
Mechanicsburg improves to 14-1-1 overall and 12-0-1 in the Commonwealth.
The Wildcats will face Keystone Division foe Hershey in a crossover game Monday before traveling to Lower Dauphin for the regular season finale on Thursday, Oct. 16.
A win or a draw against Lower Dauphin clinches the Commonwealth title outright for the Wildcats.
State College is now 5-9 overall and 4-9 in the division. The Little Lions will close out their Commonwealth schedule Thursday with a game against Cedar Cliff and finish the regular late next week with a non-conference tilt with Hazleton.
THEY SAID IT
“I felt that State played a really good first two quarters defensively and I expected that. In the second half, obviously we scored more and spaced them out more, creating opportunities for better shots. We can’t look past Hershey (Monday). We have a history with them from the Keystone Division. They will come ready to play ,” – Mechanicsburg head coach Tonya Brown.
“This is super special senior class. We’re super close, tons of chemistry. We love each other and have tons of fun together on the field and off the field and that translates into how we play,” – Mechanicsburg senior Madi Dollman.
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State College 0 0 0 1 – 1
Mechanicsburg 1 0 2 3 – 6
First quarter
M-Kenzie Mussleman (Libby Olivetti) 11:49
Second quarter
No scoring
Third quarter
M-Kayla Weldon (Olivetti) 33:00
M-Olivetti (unassisted) 35:53
Fourth quarter
M-Olivetti (unassisted) 45:17
M-Avery Rutter (Weldon) 48:12
M-Olivetti (unassisted) 49:55
SC-Reagan Dare (unassisted) 56:31
Shots on goal: State College 2, Mechanicsburg 19
Saves: State College: Cora Bierly 13; Mechanicsburg: Olivia Schweighart 1
Corners: State College 4, Mechanicsburg 10.