ANNAPOLIS -- The Pocomoke field hockey team will get the chance to claim their eighth straight title after the Warriors downed the Mavericks of Manchester Valley 2-1 on Monday night in the 1A MPSSAA state semifinal.
The Warriors scored twice in the first half, getting tallies from seniors Beverly Weaver and Taylor West, and were able to hold off a late charge from the Mavericks. Pocomoke will play in the title game Saturday at Washington College.
"I'm so pleased with how we played. We finally got a full good game," said Susan Pusey, Pocomoke's head coach. "Manchester Valley was a good team and they played well; it was nice to have that competition to get ready for the final game."
Manchester Valley made good use of the opening possession of the game. Off of the opening whistle, the Mavericks created one of their best scoring chances of the contest, sending a shot just wide of the post.
Pocomoke (16-2) responded by charging down to the opposite end of the field and scoring just 92 seconds into the match. Senior Kasey Tapman put the initial shot on goal, only to see it get deflected up and over the goalie. A scrum on the Mavericks goal line ensued before Weaver knocked it across.
"If you can score within the first five minutes of the game you set the tempo and the tone of the entire game," said West. "I think we dominated the game the first few minutes, but then they had their points where they were dominating as well."
Pocomoke continued to pour on the pressure, peppering the Mavericks with shots and earning multiple penalty corner opportunities. The Warriors doubled their lead with 12:36 remaining in the first half, as West stole a pass and immediately went to goal. West dribbled inside of the circle before unleashing a shot that punished the back of the Manchester Valley cage.
"Abby (Bunting) works really well with me, and she was able to force the ball to me. So we created a double," said West, explaining her goal. "From there I intercepted it and pulled right, and that was inside the circle, so I just looked up and saw an open corner."
Pocomoke continued to dominate the run of play in the second half, as the Warriors out cornered the Mavericks five to one during a 14-minute period, but they were not rewarded for their efforts.
While Pocomoke went scoreless on their many corner opportunities, Manchester Valley was able to take advantage of one of their own. Sophomore Sarah Bach inserted the ball into play for the Mavericks before a pass finally found the open stick of Jennie Frock. Frock, a freshman, was unmarked in the center of the circle and sent a shot to the bottom right corner of the Warriors' net that found its way into the back of the cage to halve Pocomoke's lead.
The Mavericks (8-6-1) pressed on for the tying goal, but it never came as Pocomoke was able to keep the ball in or near the Manchester Valley circle as time ticked away.
When the final horn sounded the Pocomoke sideline erupted with joy, as the Warriors raced on to the field to revel in their accomplishment and the chance to play in yet another state championship.
"No one can explain this feeling really -- they never get old, keep them coming," said Pusey of her multiple state final appearances. "I'm fortunate to have good kids that play hard, play well, and do what I ask them to do. As long as we keep on playing like we are, hopefully we will come out on top again."
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Pocomoke Warriors field hockey team beat the Manchester Valley Mavericks 2-1 on Monday.
