Schratz’s goal gives Peters Township WPIAL field hockey title
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Peters Township players hoist the WPIAL Class AAA girls field hockey trophy after beating Pine-Richland, 2-1, in the championship game Monday night.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Greta Schratz drives the ball downfield while heavily defended by Heidi Van Dyk. Both scored goals in the game but Schratz had the gamewinner on a penalty stroke in overtime as Peters Township defeated Pine-Richland for the WPIAL field hockey title.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Peters Township players rush to congratulate Greta Schratz (23) after she scored the decisive goal in overtime that gave the Indians a 2-1 win against Pine-Richland and their first WPIAL field hockey championship title since 2009.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Nica and Greta Schratz savor the sweet taste of success, a gold medal after Peters Township defeated Pine-Richland in overtime, 2-1, for the WPIAL field hockey title.
With 9:47 left in overtime, Greta Schratz crossed herself, uttered an “Our Father,” touched her heart, where her scapular was affixed. Then the senior ripped a penalty stroke into the net and lifted Peters Township to victory, 2-1, over Pine-Richland Oct. 29 and to its first WPIAL field hockey championship title since 2009.
“It’s so surreal,” Schratz said. “This goal was for everybody on the team. It didn’t matter who scored because at the end of the day the whole team wins not just an individual.”
Eight years in the making was this championship, said head coach Amy Casciola. Her eight seniors were fifth-graders back when she started the youth program at Peters Township.
“It was for moments like this,” she said. “I have gone with these girls all the way just for this.”
This championship almost didn’t happen as the Rams took the lead on a “fluke” goal. With 8:05 to play in the first half, Heidi Van Dyk was credited with the score that appeared to be knocked in by the Peters Township defense, which had not surrendered a goal all season. Elaina Camino was credited with an assist.
Though the Indians dominated the action they could not net the equalizer until 5:27 remained in regulation.
“We were dominating,” Casciola admitted. “I felt it was only a matter of getting it in the cage. Sometimes in this game though, you can be the dominant team and not win because you just don’t put it in the cage.”
Ironically, PT scored on a shift change when Casciola inserted Adrianna Cocco into the game. The junior defender tallied the goal while Nica Schratz earned an assist.
“I felt the momentum change,” Casciola said. “It was a shift change actually, too. I put someone in that spot that doesn’t usually score and then she scored and almost did it a second time.”
By the same token, the usual did not happen when Nica Schratz attempted a penalty stroke earlier in the second half. Goalie Abby Baratka made a kick save on the attempt enabling the Rams to maintain their one-goal advantage.
“I was shocked the first (penalty stroke) didn’t go in. Nica usually owns those goals. She’s usually 100 percent,” Casciola said. “But I knew with momentum we could score and get back in the game.”
After Cocco’s momentum-maker, Greta Schratz took the initiative in overtime. She stepped up and scored the game-winner.
“Greta took the lead,” Casciola said. “She was super excited. She told me that she would make the goal and she did.”
“I did it for Nica. I did it for the team,” Greta added. “We don’t win this without the efforts of all of my teammates.”
With the victory, Peters Township improved to 10-0-1 overall and advanced to the PIAA playoffs, which commence Nov. 6 and conclude with the championships Nov. 17 in Hershey.
The Indians won the Section I division with an 8-0-1 record, then shutout Norwin, 1-0, in the semifinals. They did not surrender a goal until the WPIAL final. Megan Casciola, Amy’s daughter, anchored the defensive unit, which also included Maddie and Emma Devine, Kyra Cunningham and Adrianna Costanza.
PT’s other seniors, who started in the program some eight years ago, also include Lexi Lawrence, who started at forward, Maura Farinelli, Carlee Breier and Chloe Paugh.
Cassidy King and Myla Sroka were two of the team’s four starting sophomores.
Additional underclassmen on the varsity squad include: Regan Brown, Mia Pugliano, Jessie Phelps, Annabelle Rose, Bella Valley and Sarah Rubican.
So, Casciola, predicts field hockey fans will be hearing a lot from Peters Township in the future.
“Hopefully, we will have the upper hand for the next few years to come,” she said.