Penn-Trafford’s Girls Varsity Field Hockey team has performed phenomenally this year, securing an undefeated regular season for the second year in a row and winning its sixth straight WPIAL title.

     Head coach Cindy Dutt said, “Each player has made tremendous contributions to the success of the team.” 

     Sophomore Ava Hershberger broke the scoring record this season. Hershberger said the support of her teammates is what allowed her the opportunity to score so many goals. 

     Dutt said that another highlight of the season was the team’s first victory against Fox Chapel. The opposing team used a peculiar strategy that entailed creating a defensive circle. 

     It was not until the last three minutes of the game that Fox Chapel attempted to put the pressure on P-T, but P-T’s defense was able to stop them and secure a victory of 1 – 0.

     According to Hershberger, the team’s success can be attributed to both how well the girls connect as a team and Dutt’s coaching abilities. 

    “Coach Dutt has helped the team so much by keeping us focused and reminding us that not every game is gonna be easy so we can not take it lightly,” Hershberger said. 

     Dutt stated that she finds it personally rewarding to coach the team, and that she wants nothing but the best for them.

     “I believe that player for player, we have the best team in AA and I want the girls to reap the rewards of their work,” Dutt said.

     Hershberger added that she is very happy with how the season has gone. 

     “We had a really successful season and it was a lot of fun to play with all my friends on the team. They set me up and I set them up which makes winning even more exciting.”

      The team defeated Latrobe 1 – 0 in the class AA WPIAL Semifinals on Oct. 26th.

They then went on to achieve their sixth consecutive WPIAL Championship win against Fox Chapel with a score of 1 – 0 on Oct. 30th.

Maxwell Reese, Editor in Chief.