Moravian Academy field hockey team picks up where it left off – lehighvalleylive.com
Mayv Clune has been the primary scoring threat the past two seasons for the Moravian Academy field hockey team.
The talented junior forward seems to thrive even more when postseason rolls around.
Clune erupted for four goals and also had an assist Tuesday night to lead the top seeded Lions to an 8-0 romp over No. 4 Lehighton in a District 11 Class AA semifinal at Emmaus High School.
“I definitely do (get pumped up) when there’s more at stake,” said Clune, a Colonial League All-Star first team pick who’s amassed 38 goals and nine assists this season. “I play with a lot more intensity and it’s very beneficial. I really enjoy playing at night, too. I like the atmosphere. It’s just fun.”
The win clinches a state playoff berth for the Lions (20-1) and advances them to the district title game against Southern Lehigh at 2 p.m. Saturday’s at a site to be determined. The Spartans topped Pen Argyl 3-0 in the first semifinal.
Moravian, the Colonial League champion, earned a bye into the semifinals while No. 4 Lehighton, which finished 10-9-1, edged fifth seed Catasauqua 3-2 in its quarterfinal round game.
“One of my assistants scouted Lehighton’s game against Catty, which was really helpful,” Moravian coach Debbie Bross said.
The underdog Indians played Moravian to a standstill for the first 17 minutes. Clune got the ball rolling when she scored off a feed from midfielder Dana Turner with 13 minutes left in the first half.
“We just weren’t connecting on our passes (in the early going) but after they called a timeout we took a deep breath, stepped back and started playing the way we’re capable, Clune said.”
Clune’s goal opened the floodgates as sophomore Ashley Pearce and Turner scored to cap a three-goal spree in a span of 2:16.
“We started connecting on our passes and once we put that first one in, it gave us a spark,” Turner said. “When you go up 1-0, it gives you a little confidence to put another one away.”
Despite the slow start, Bross felt confident her team would eventually get untracked.
“I wasn’t disappointed with anything we did, even in the first 17 minutes,” the veteran coach said. “It was just a matter of time. We’re a little more well-rounded than them. They’re a scrappy team, but we have a little more skill.”
Pearce added a second goal in the second half for the Lions. Sophomore Katie Keller also entered the scoring column.
Moravian hadn’t played since defeating Southern Lehigh for the Colonial League title on Oct. 21, but the Lions scrimmaged Easton on the Red Rovers’ turf field last Monday.
“We had a very nice scrimmage against Easton,” Bross said. “That helped us get our edge back.”
Tom Hinkel may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TomHinkelLV. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.
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