The Foxes’ field hockey team followed in the footsteps of last year’s undefeated squad and finished the regular season with a perfect section record of 12-0. Their success earned them their fifth WPIAL AAA Section 3 championship in seven years.
The team now advances to the first round of the WPIAL playoffs, where they face a strong North Allegheny High School team at home at 7 p.m., Wednesday.
Staying atop the leader board this season wasn’t as easy as the players might have expected, even with three Division I recruits leading the way – juniors Abby Pitcairn, who committed to the University of North Carolina, Michigan State recruit Paige Ryan, and senior Meg McCrady, who has decided to play lacrosse at Georgetown University.
“We faced some battles this year, which I feel have been extremely important for us to get where we are as a team right now,” says coach Jen McCrady, now in her seventh season. “I do believe adversity is key in terms of growth, and is a reminder that you have to earn every victory.”
While Coach McCrady says, “we are fortunate to have the success we have,” ironically, it’s not any of their the wins that she calls her proudest moment with the team in 2016. It actually occurred in an overtime loss at a tournament in Ohio.
“We were battling fatigue in a second consecutive game that day, were missing some key players, and had some frustration,” she recalls. “To watch them rally together and play one of their best games to date as a team was really awesome.”
They will need draw upon that same spirit and teamwork as they head to the playoffs. They’ll be counting on top scorers Abby and Paige, and a defense that’s played superbly all season featuring juniors Sarah Fownes and Grace Knepshield, both halfbacks, sophomore back Rebecca Klaas, and freshman Isabella Lagazzi, also a back. Marissa Hardiman, the team’s sophomore goalkeeper, has only allowed two goals in section play.
“Winning never gets old,” Coach McCrady says with a smile.