District playoff video games typically embody hits, hurts, and bruises which are remembered for a lifetime.
However, there is no such thing as a ache equal to the complicated emotions of sudden loss in a close-knit neighborhood.
Mechanicsburg discipline hockey pushed by means of its feelings Saturday morning of eager to win and help the Dollman household. Andrew Dollman handed away unexpectedly final week abandoning his household, amongst them, are Madi, a junior discipline hockey participant, and Isaac, a senior soccer participant.
The Wildcats gained 2-1 in opposition to Cumberland Valley at Troopers and Sailors Memorial Stadium.
With the win, the ‘Cats safe their spot within the District 3 Class 3A semifinals, in addition to their spot within the first spherical of the 2024 PIAA Class 3A postseason.
“I really feel like our group is such an enormous household, and even, the entire neighborhood, simply got here collectively and I believe it’s actually particular, what we have now in Mechanicsburg,” sophomore Mary Olivetti mentioned.
Olivetti scored the game-winning aim early within the fourth. And, as seen at loads of discipline hockey video games, the women celebrated. The hugs, although, had a a lot deeper that means.
Mechanicsburg works the ball out and across the circle. Entry and shot.
2-1 Mechanicsburg 13:36 pic.twitter.com/aLyMPkBxT9
— FemaleAthleteNews (@Female_FANews) October 26, 2024
“In the present day, we actually wanted to win, we wished to win actually unhealthy for Madi Dollman,” mentioned Olivetti, who was struggling to seek out her phrases. “We actually wished to win that for her. So, we may go on to the subsequent spherical…and preserve going and going.”
She scored the profitable aim off a passing sequence that began outdoors the circle. The ball was handed from stick to stay after which despatched in, the place Olivetti was capable of get her stick on it and rating close to the submit.
A handful of the ‘Cats athletes adorned Madi’s jersey quantity, No. 5 on their shoulders, utilizing non permanent tattoos, displaying their unity and help for his or her woman.
The sport started with a solemn feeling simply after 10 a.m. A number of hours later, all of them knew they’d be attending a funeral at 2 p.m.
“We’re very unified, in the truth that we’re taking part in for a teammate that lately misplaced her father,” Mechanicsburg head coach Tonya Brown mentioned.
She added: “The women have actually come collectively by means of it and are supporting one another and this was an enormous sport, they usually’re honoring their teammate by means of taking part in.”
Brown, who additionally was celebrating her birthday, mentioned she was happy with her ladies as a result of she knew they had been serious about the funeral through the sport. She mentioned taking part in the game is sweet for his or her psychological well being as they proceed to work by means of their emotions.
There was little or no psychological evaluate of the competitors post-game. The sport was very even, and Brown acknowledged Cumberland Valley’s goalkeeper Katie Hume. Hume, and her protection, was capable of stop Mechanicsburg from capitalizing on a number of scoring alternatives.
Mechanicsburg got here on robust, scoring its first aim within the first quarter, off the group’s first penalty nook. They scored with 10:37 remaining within the first. Olivetti reverse handed to Brielle Garman, who tapped the ball previous Hume.
Mechanicsburg 1, CV 0
First nook for the Cats. 10 extra minutes within the first.
District 3, Quarterfinals pic.twitter.com/E0icdNHgwo
— FemaleAthleteNews (@Female_FANews) October 26, 2024
Kayla Weldon then had her flip within the fourth being the distributor to Olivetti, who once more, on a discipline aim, scored the one-point edge they wanted to win.
It took the Eagles 5 consecutive corners to attain their solely aim of the sport. It occurred proper earlier than halftime: Morgan Smeltz to Lexi Hunter.
Tied 1-1 9:07 pic.twitter.com/HXYmtgCW2B
— FemaleAthleteNews (@Female_FANews) October 26, 2024
Cumberland Valley and Mechanicsburg have a longstanding rivalry, which was reignited within the 2024 Fall marketing campaign after the PIAA introduced new statewide realignments. The Wildcats moved into the Class 3A standings, which meant they’d have at the least two conferences with the Eagles. Cumberland Valley remained in Class 3A.
The ‘Cats gained the primary contest 2-0. The groups tied 0-0 within the second. And, Mechanicsburg gained the third sport.
However, none of that appeared to be the focus of the quarterfinal spherical. Cumberland Valley introduced flowers and a card for Mechanicsburg’s discipline hockey household. And, Brown, postgame, was ensuring one among her captains had the sport ball for the Dollmans.
“I believe our protection continues to enhance every sport,” Cumberland Valley head coach Ashley Taylor Hooper mentioned. “They proceed to be affected person and forestall scoring on corners. Most of the time, I believe we had been capable of shut them down defensively. It was 4 photographs in opposition to six photographs. Photographs smart, it was very related. We have to regroup for Wednesday.”
Mechanicsburg will play both Manheim Township or State School on Wednesday on the larger seed. All District 3 sport tickets are $6 and could be bought on-line.
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Picture: Cumberland Valley at Mechanicsburg, 2024 District 3 Class3 quarterfinals. Jana Benscoter
