Hightstown Field Hockey Beats Allentown, 1-0

Under any circumstances, a 2-0 start is good. When one of those wins comes against a traditional field hockey powerhouse, however, it's even sweeter.

Hightstown defeated Allentown 1-0 at home Sept. 13.

"Beating Allentown is a big win for us," Hightstown Coach Nichole Tomasello said. "My girls have been playing hard to get to [Allentown's] level. This shows how hard they have been working to achieve their goal."

Kelly Mankowich, assisted by Jenny Hill, scored the lone goal of the match in the first half.

Thanks to a great defense and the second shutout of the season by goalie Dorothy Von Ahnen, Hightstown was able to hold on to its early advantage.

Von Ahnen had four saves while recording the shutout against Allentown and five saves in a 2-0 shutout win against Pemberton in the season opener.

When asked about not giving up a goal this season, Tomasello smiled and said "don't jinx us."

"It's been a nice beginning for us so far," Tomasello said. "Our defense has played great. Dorothy has stepped in at goal this season and is doing phenomenal. She wants to make her team proud of her."

Bari Soriano and Courtney Prunchak scored the goals for Hightstown in the win against Pemberton. Mankowich assisted on both goals.

Hightstown will try and improve to 3-0, and keep its unscored streak going when it plays at Hamilton at 4 p.m. Thursday.

"We're all happy and excited about our start," Tomasello said.