One for the Thumb, Hurricanes Win Fifth Title in a Row

AMBLER—A group of six Malvern seniors that have ended each of their field hockey seasons being crowned District One champions, as Villa Maria Academy defeated Upper Perkiomen 4-2 Saturday to claim their fifth consecutive title.

Carrie Brennan, Kelly Kramer, Sam Mueller, Caroline Troncelliti (2 goals, 2 assists), Kristen Waldheim and Lauren del Valle have established a precedent that may never be eclipsed by any Hurricane team in the future.

“We never think about our opponents or worry about the score,” said Waldheim. “We focus on the positive and pick each other up. We are so tight as a team that as long as we execute what need to do, we have been successful. We have pride when we are out somewhere wearing our Villa gear, every year we get sweatshirts made and it's something that is one of the highlights.”

Villa got off to a 2-0 start on goals by Olivia Bolles, who scored at the 22:31 mark of the first half on a rebound of a shot by Troncelliti, who added an unassisted tally with 16:02 left in the opening half.

Upper Perkiomen showed life late in the second half, but only after the Hurricanes had extended the lead to 4-0 on goals by Meagan Parsons and Troncelliti’s second of the tilt to roll to the District One championship.

“These girls work extremely hard,” said head coach Maurene Polley, who has claimed 10 titles in her 43 years at the helm. “It hasn’t just been these girls either. We have ladies playing at the college level all over the area. They have continued to push each other, which has gotten them to this level. They don’t accept defeat as a possible outcome.”

The Hurricanes, who benefit from playing against teams like district qualifiers Gwyned Mercy, class AAAA Mount St. Joseph and Villa Joseph Marie all season in the Catholic Academies League, have compiled overwhelming stats all year long.

“There is a lot of mental preparation that goes into it,” said Carrie Brennan. “We actually met with a coach this year to go over that aspect. We do a lot of game visualization and constantly work on staying focused when someone messes up or bad things happen during a game.”

The Hurricanes will now begin their quest for the PIAA class as they take on District 3 sixth-seed Manheim Central at what is quickly becoming their home away from home, Wissahickon High School’s turf at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Upper Perkiomen         0            2        — 2

Villa Maria                   2            2        — 4

First half scoring

VM      Bolles from Troncelliti

VM      Trocelliti unassisted

Second half scoring

VM      Parsons from Troncelliti

VM      Troncelliti from Del Valle

UP       Duemler from Umstead

UP       Nyce from Umstead