HAWLEY — Mandy Gunuskey scored a goal off an assist from Chloe Nicolini to lift Honesdale to a 1-0 win over Abington Heights in a District 2 Class 2A field hockey play-in game Oct. 20 at Wallenpaupack.
With the win, Honesdale (4-11) earned the No. 6 seed in the district playoffs. Abington Heights was eliminated from playoff contention and finished the season with a 3-12 record.
Abington Heights outshot Honesdale, 9-8, in the contest. Lady Comets goalkeeper Ashlynn Fitzgerald made seven saves and Brianna Potter made eight saves for Honesdale.
“It was a fight,” Abington Heights head coach Samantha Krut said. “We had a lot of passes that went right to the other team, so that was our downfall.”
Despite Friday’s loss, Krut was pleased with the way the team adjusted to her coaching style throughout the season.
“We definitely had girls who were accepting of changes in formation on the field,” she said. “On our lineup, we went from three back to four back and we switched it often. I’m the team’s third head coach in the last three years and the seniors were very accepting of having a new coach, a new attitude and a new philosophy.”
Abington Heights defeated Tunkhannock, 2-1, Oct. 19 to set up the play-in game.
Lady Comets win regular season finale
TUNKHANNOCK — Abington Heights entered its game Oct. 19 knowing a win would extend its season.
The Lady Comets faced some early adversity, but closed the first half with a flurry and held off Tunkhannock, 2-1, in a Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 field hockey game.
Tunkhannock (0-14) took a 1-0 lead just six minutes into the game when Sarah Seward connected with Sophia Burke for a goal off a penalty corner.
The Lady Comets tied the game in the 21st minute when Caroline Kelly scored off an assist from Schuyler Smith.
“I knew Sky was on my outside and I knew she was going to pass it to me because that’s how we communicate in there,” Kelly said. “I just knew I was going to hit it in.”
Abington Heights’ Arla Davis scored the game-winning goal in the 24th minute by controlling a loose ball, after several passes inside the circle, and firing it into the cage.
“We came in with the mindset that we could do it,” Davis said. “We couldn’t let any setbacks hold us back, we just kept pushing forward. I saw a wide open lane toward the right corner and I knew I had to take the shot.”
Abington Heights head coach Samantha Krut was happy with how the team responded, on defense, after surrendering an early goal.
“Defensively, Audrey Cottell played an outstanding game,” Krut said. “We were missing our starting defensive back (Nina Kozar) and Audrey took her place and stepped up big time.”
Despite falling short, Tunkhannock head coach Ashley Darby was proud of her team’s effort.
“We really played hard today,” Darby said. “They were really hungry; we have nine seniors and we haven’t won a game all season so they really wanted to go out with a bang and get a victory. They came together as a team and really played their hearts out, but we just ran out of time.”
