By Matt McGillick, Staff Writer
The Penn-Trafford field hockey team finished its regular season and made it to the WPIAL championship game. The Warriors currently have a record of 9-6 and will be playing Oakland Catholic for the WPIAL title on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at P-T.
The P-T field hockey team has had much success this year. Big wins have come against Norwin, Latrobe and Oakland Catholic during the regular season.
The Warriors have qualified for the AA classification WPIAL championship game while still competing against AAA classification teams all year. As a result of their record, the P-T field hockey team finished in the top out of all WPIAL teams in the AA classification and automatically clinched their spot in the WPIAL championship game during their final section victory over Oakland Catholic.
The team has been successful on the field due to the chemistry they have made during the preseason and during the regular season.
Senior Ann Lipinski credits the team’s performance to the chemistry they have built.
“Communication and strong relationships on and off the field have let us try new skills and line ups that let us be successful in our games. The togetherness we have this year is so apparent and definitely a major factor in winning games,” Lipinski said.
Junior Emily Polakovsky agreed with Lipinski.
“Our ability to work together and work as a unit rather than individuals has been the biggest contribution to our success so far,” Polakovsky added.
Senior Nicole Ertman believes success comes from trust.
“This season we really came together as one and worked together well. If you don’t have that basic relationship then you aren’t able to connect as one on the field,” Ertman said. “It’s all about trust.”
With the big game ahead of them, the P-T field hockey team still strives to get better in order to win the game and to continue their season. The team wants to improve upon their skills, get better as a team and fix the mistakes they have made throughout the season.
Ertman believes that practicing will help make them successful in the postseason.
“In order to be successful in our post season we need to make sure we perfect all of our little mistakes. We practice until we have everything done that we need done. Our coach will ‘nit pick’ our drills until all of the flaws are out,” Ertman said.
Senior Molly Marino believes communication is key in order to continue to win.
“We need to keep up with our communication and stay strong for each other. We can’t turn inwards on ourselves, but rather this is the time when we need each other the most,” Marino added.
The Warriors have high expectations for the postseason because of their success throughout the regular season. Lipinski expects a lot from the team.
“I expect big things for us in the postseason, but above all else I expect us to step out on the field with the mentality that we are the best and that we can leave the field knowing we did our very best, playing our hearts out until that final buzzer,” Lipinski said.
Ertman believes the Warriors have what it takes to claim to WPIAL title.
“In the post season our expectations are to win WPIALS that’s what’s needed to be done first. After we have accomplished that we will go to states, taking it one game at a time helps with nerves or pregame jitters,” Ertman said.
Making it to the WPIAL championship is a great honor and is an achievement the seniors on the team are proud of.
Marino feels honored: “I’m really proud and honored to be a part of such an amazing team.”