Through the first 13 games of its season, the unbeaten Fox Chapel field hockey team has had its share of one-sided victories. With a scoring advantage of 99-4, that can be expected.
What has pleased coach Jen McCrady, however, has been her team’s mettle when it has been challenged.
That has happened twice this season in matching 2-1 victories against section-rival Peters Township and on the road at State College.
McCrady knew that Peters Township – which took the Foxes to overtime and is in second place in Class AAA Section 2 behind them – would be a challenge. But the victory against State College also was meaningful.
“That was important to us,” she said. “The only time we made it to the PIAA tournament [in 2012], they knocked us out [5-0]. It was the day after we won the WPIAL championship. We were anxious to see how that game would turn out. It was 1-1 with about 10 minutes left in the game, and they had to earn it. That’s important at this point in the season.”
Senior midfielder Margot Savin said the win was meaningful.
“That was huge for us,” she said. “State College has a reputation of being a top team, so winning there made a statement about Western Pennsylvania and Western Pennsylvania field hockey. It showed that we can play – and win – big games.”