TOWAMENCIN – The North Penn Maiden’s field hockey team came out strong on Tuesday night to pull out a 3-2 win over Hatboro Horsham on what was an emotional senior night for all of the seniors on the team.
“I’m really upset,” said senior captain Emilie Ikeda, “The seniors, when we were stretching today before the game, we were tearing up just thinking about it.”
Senior players Ikeda, captain Carly Pickford, Juliamae Marger, Laura Delongis, Bobby Dougherty, Kelly Colbridge, Lauren Dale and Shannon Keen along with manager Emily Gross were all honored before the start of the game, escorted by their parents down an aisle of the underclassmen on the team.
Ikeda was not the only senior to be upset over the end of her field hockey career.
“It’s really upsetting to go. It was a lot of fun. The four year I played for North Penn has been so much fun, some of my best memories from high school. It’s been a really good time,” said Pickford.
Head coach Carrie Jankowski had nothing but kind words for the outgoing seniors.
“They’re an incredibly awesome group of kids. They’re fun and hardworking and certainly have gotten better, but mostly they have been really fun to be around,” said Jankowski.
The game itself turned the night into an even better night for the seniors. After two goals by Dougherty and one by junior Michelle Holweger, the Maidens were up 3-0 with 8 minutes remaining in the game. Hatboro started a last minute surge but fell one goal short as the Maidens pulled out the win by a score of 3-2.
The team has created several memories throughout the years as well. Ikeda remembers one game in particular against CB West. According to Ikeda, the game was becoming very stressful since the game was in overtime and the entire team was extremely tired.
“All of a sudden Marger gets a breakaway, shoots from the top of the circle and scores. It was the most exciting thing ever!” said Ikeda.
Pickford’s memories consist of memories that happened off the field.
“Anything with any of the team [is my favorite memory]. We were friends on the team and outside of playing, we hung out all the time.”
Both Pickford and Ikeda are grateful for their four years on the team and wish nothing but luck for the rest of their teammates.
“I really want to thank the coaches and the team,” said Ikeda, “The whole experience, is really unforgettable and irreplaceable. The girls and the friendships we made are awesome.”
“I’m really going to miss it, but it was a great four years and I’m so glad that I played,” said Pickford.
Jankowski had one last advice for the seniors.
“Keep working hard in everything they do.”