Honesdale Heading to D-2 Semifinals After a Thrilling Overtime Victory

On a cool autumn evening, the Lady Hornet field hockey team took the field for its first ever home play-off game against DV.

Despite a wet and slippery homefield, the Red & Black were ready to bring a win to the hive for the first time...and what better way to do it than to sting the Warriors?

The Battle begins
The action kicked off at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.

After 20 minutes went by in the opening half, the score was still tied 0-0.

With 8:11 left in the first half the Warriors Eavan Matz put the ball in the goal off an assist from Dani Edwards.

The Lady Hornets did not let this get them down, though. The girls buzzed down the field and struck back by quickly, tying the game up with 7:34 left in the first half.

Honesdale’s goal was scored by Holly Hessberger off an assist from Brittany Cardona.
Intermission

The half ended in a 1-1 tie with both teams fired up and ready to continue a battle that wouldn’t be pretty for either side.

The field wasn’t getting any easier to play as the game went on and girls were falling victim to the “slip & slide” that was Honesdale’s athletic complex.

But these bumps and bruises were only skin deep for the Lady Hornets...a team whose heart and determination were ready to guide them to one of the biggest wins in school history.

Second Half
The girls switched sides and Honesdale started the second half with the ball, and the action picked up right were the first half finished.

DV moved down the field and scored with 26:32 left to play. This goal was assisted by Ramsey and scored by Witkowski.

After this goal, keeper Katie Carton was determined not to let anything else by for the rest of the game. Carton finished up with seven saves.

Honesdale didn’t strike back as quickly this time. However, after a few tense minutes, the girls were ready to tie it up.

With 17:41 left in regulation, Honesdale lit the scoreboard again. This time it was on a laser by Desiraye Mack off an assist by Alicia Manzione.

In the words of one fan: “It was like a rocket was launched through the goal box.”

Overtime
Regulation ended and the game was still tied. The girls then readied for “sudden victory” overtime.

The Lady Hornets hustled out to the field ready to prevail in this “do or die” situation. The clock was set to 15 minutes and began to tick down.

In the early OT minutes, the Hornets were in trouble as Del Val was quickly in Honesdale's territory. Knowing they couldn’t surrender a goal, the local girls gave it their all and kept the Warriors from scoring.  

Honesdale regained possession and drove down the field. For the rest of the overtime period, the Lady Hornets kept the ball in the Warrior box.

After nearly winning the game and everyone jumping as high in the air as they could, the referees called a penalty disallowing the goal.

The Red & Black refused to be denied, though. They kept up the pressure and moments later, it paid off.

With 5:27 left in the first OT, Mary Martin dished the ball to Desi Mack, who banged it off the back of the cage to make Honesdale history.

This epic thriller was finally over. Honesdale had won its first home play-off game ever!

“I knew from the second I passed it that Desi was gonna be there and we’d win,” said Mary.

Mack agreed, saying: “I was looking for a ball in the circle. Mary gave me a beautiful pass and I stuffed in in the corner past the goalie.”

Becca Speaks
After the game Coach Maciejewski, like her girls, was very excited...and exhausted.

When asked about the game she had this to say: “Amazing! This group of girls has put in their time over the years and it was great to see their hard work finally pay off.”

The Lady Hornets will head into the next round of the playoffs against #1 seed Wyoming Valley West on Monday.

Coach Maciejewski  appears optimistic: “Early in the season we gave them one of their few losses this year. We’re out to prove it wasn’t a fluke.

“We beat ‘em once and we can do it again. Valley West is an extremely talented team and fast. We’ll have to play a full 60 minutes to win.”