LOWER TOWNSHIP — Lower Cape May Regional High School field hockey coach Anne Bracken called Greta Shepanski an amazing player.
“She has been starting since she was a freshman. She is very talented. A natural athlete,” said Bracken, who is in her 11th season at the helm.
Shepanski scored early in the second quarter off a penalty corner to lead the Caper Tigers to a 1-0 win over Holy Spirit in a Cape-Atlantic League National Division game Wednesday.
Reilly Satt assisted on the junior’s goal, which came just 3 minutes, 50 seconds into the second quarter. Lower’s Taylor Stietler made two saves in the shutout, including one late in the third quarter.
“I just think we have been working really well as a team during our corners,” said Shepanski, 16. “We have been really trying to use these opportunities to score. We just saw it and we took it. We had a good cross.”
Holy Spirit (2-3) had two scoring chances late in the third quarter. One shot just missed the corner of the cage, and the other was stopped by Stietler. The Spartans took another shot off the rebound, but again just missed tying the game.
Holy Spirit moved up to the CAL National this season after winning the United in 2024. That has resulted in a tougher schedule.
Coach Kylie Mitchell said her team has been working on taking better shots at the top of the circle, which they improved at and that almost helped them make a comeback in the third quarter. The second-year coach and Stockton University graduate also praised Lower’s defense and Stietler.
“It was a good game,” Mitchell said. “I think my girls played really well. We have been working on cutting to the ball and connecting our passes, and I think that showed in this game.
“Of course, I am not happy with the end score, but I am happy with how my girls played today and how they worked as a unit together.
Mitchell was very pleased with the Spartans’ fast breaks Wednesday but wanted to see her team capitalize on the chances.
“I feel like we definitely have some things to work on,” she said. “We depended on the big ball a little bit this game, and my girls are a little more skilled than that to depend on the big ball up the field.”
Both defenses played great Wednesday, and neither team had many shots on net. Lia Baldino made eight saves for Holy Spirit.
“It was a fun game. It was a competitive game,” Bracken said. “I think there was a lot we did not capitalize on, and that is one of the things that we need to work on. But it was good competition. A good game. Good sportsmanship. We have to still work on getting them better every game.”
Bracken said seniors Mia Mogavero and Statt and Shepanski are leaders on the Caper Tigers (4-2), who snapped a two-game losing skid with the win. Shepanski is the leading scorer.
“It was a tough game. I think we have a lot to work on, but we are getting there,” Shepanski said. “I think we are big competitors.”
Cedar Creek (6-1, 4-1) and Millville (4-1, 4-1) are ahead of the Caper Tigers in the division, who are 3-2 in the National. Lower’s two losses are against the Pirates and the Thunderbolts, but it will meet them again.
“It feels great to win,” Shepanski said. “It has been a really good start. We started with a shutout (win), so I am proud of our team. I think we are going to keep benefiting and getting better with every loss and every win.”
Bracken had been out sick most of the season so far, and last game was her first one this fall. So, she is happy to be back on the sideline.
“I missed them while I was gone, but we are getting better every game, like I said,” Bracken said. “That’s what we are striving for.”
Mitchell hopes Holy Spirit can start putting together more wins as the season progresses, saying that she aims to be “on the higher side of this conference.”
Mitchell also said her team has been working on endurance and playing every minute of every game, which was not an issue Wednesday, unlike some games last fall.
“This is definitely much better competition, so it’s good for my girls to go up against it,” she said.
Contact Patrick Mulranen: 609-272-7217
PMulranen@pressofac.com
Twitter @ACPressMulranen
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