Paved with inspirational quotes and memories honoring the seniors, the chalked-up sidewalk colorfully paved the way to the North Penn Field Hockey Senior Night on Wednesday. With the skies clear and the moon hanging just over the fence of the turf field, the setting was perfect for a game that held both sentimental and legitimate value for the Maidens. Possibly their final home match of the season, The Maidens were hosting the Pennridge Rams in a game that would determine their possible playoff future. Although playoff implications did hang on a Maidens win, North Penn held a special pregame ceremony to honor all of their seniors who had spent a majority of their North Penn career with the team.

The Maidens have nine seniors on the 2012-2013 squad. Players Alexa Gable (captain), Sarah Galang, Jill Harrington, Michelle Holweger (captain), Emma Laurens, Erika Myslinski, Laura Squicciarini (captain), Jess Wagner, and Manager Kathleen McCauley were all recognized before the game, being escorted onto the field by their parents. As the seniors walked down mid field, their other North Penn activities, future college and career plans, and the number of years they spent on varsity for the North Penn Field Hockey program were announced over the PA system. A well deserved congratulations was given to each individual player leading up to a very important game.

Both teams started the game with an evenly matched intensity that immediately indicated it would not be a run away victory for either school. The first half was filled with intercepted passes and strong attack countered by cleaver defenses for both Pennridge and North Penn. However, eleven minutes and forty one seconds into the first half, Sophomore Casey O’Donnell scored on an assist by junior Katrina Marger giving North Penn a 1-0 lead.

Strong play by Maidens seniors and a couple of great saves by goalie Jess Wagner gave North Penn the one goal lead going into the half. Pennridge would not back down easily though.

The second half was thirty minutes of pure intensity. Pennridge came out with a stronger style of play, really testing the strength of the Maidens defense. North Penn countered with attacks of their own, but their aggressive plays were often whistled dead by the referees; petering out any shot they had to take a two score lead.

With nineteen minutes left in the game, North Penn fought off about five different shots from Pennridge over the course of two minutes. The maiden’s defense put an exclamation point on their will to win the game with the aggressive and efficient play they showed in the waning minutes of the match.

With a minute left to play Pennridge went on the offensive for one final time. Their attempts to get the ball in the circle to get a shot off were denied multiple times by the Maidens, and then right as the final whistle blew, the Rams scored. But it was too late, the game was over and North Penn had won on their senior night 1-0 and were successful in keeping their playoff hopes alive.

“It was a really good game and we played really well,” Said senior Sarah Galang after the game. “The win really helped us. We don’t know if we are going to get into playoffs, but it definitely put us in there and gave us a chance. But being a senior and knowing that this may be the last time we play here on the turf is really emotional.”

Coach Shannon McCracken was very impressed by her girls play on the field. “Pennridge is a very good team and we played excellent tonight, our seniors played very well.”

As far as the possibility of playoffs goes, McCracken was hopeful for her team’s chance. “We had a slow start to this season but we really picked it up. We have continued to do well and I hope it’s enough.”

Wednesday was really about the seniors though, and McCracken took time to reflect on the exemplary leadership and dedication her girls had shown to the program. “The seniors have been great and have been wonderful role models for the younger girls. They are just a great group of kids to be with.”

On Thursday, the teams that made the high school field hockey playoffs were announced. Against high odds, North Penn made the cut. So be sure to look for high spirited play from the Maidens going deeper into October. After a win like Wednesday night’s, North Penn will definitely not go down easily.