9-23-2016 2:36am

Field Hockey: Hornets Fall in Battle at Skyline

Saline held a 1-0 lead at halftime but couldn’t hold off a late Skyline charge as the Eagles defeated the Hornets 2-1 in varsity field hockey action Wednesday at Skyline.

The Eagles held a territorial advantage in the first half but it was Saline sophomore Emily Maloney scoring the only goal of the first half.

Skyline tied the game 8::44 into the second half and then scored the game winner with less than five minutes to play.

Saline fell to 7-3 and Skyline improved to 6-1 in the Division 1 standings.

“I’m really proud of the way we played tonight,” said Saline coach Erica Reilly. “We fought hard and we played a great game. It was a matchup of two great teams. You have to give Skyline credit.”

The Eagles seemed to have the edge in the first half. The Eagles were awarded two early corners but the Saline defense prevented any shots from reaching goalie Julie Bentley.

But it was Saline which struck first. After a Skyline foul Erin Reilly started a play in her own zone with a long pass to the center to Shannon Reilly. Reilly worked her way through the defense and then passed to Hannah Jarvie up the middle. Jarvie passed to Bridget Skelly on the right wing. Skelly fired a shot that was stopped by the Skyline goalie but Emily Maloney won the battle for the rebound and she shot the ball in to the net.

“It was a beautiful passing play. We had a few great passing plays tonight. The difference is that we finished on this one,” coach Erica Reilly said. “We’re going to have to be a little better about finishing our chances.”

Immediately after the Hornets’ goal, which came with 18:20 to play in the half, Skyline resumed its attack. The Eagles were awarded another corner and again the Hornet defense prevented a shot on goal. A little later, under furious pressure, Bentley kicked out a hard low shot to preserve the lead.

Late in the half the Hornets turned it up. With 2:45 to play in the half, the Hornets were awarded their first corner. Abby Morton cracked a pass to Shannon Reilly, who faked the shot and passed to Jarvie on the right. Jarvie fired a shot and the Hornets jammed in a rebound. But the officials waived off the goal.

40 seconds later the Hornets received another corner (their last of the game). The Hornets skillyfully moved the ball around the Skyline goal. Jarvie cracked a high pass across the slot that Maloney just couldn’t corral, or she’d would have had an empty net.

Saline led 1-0 at halftime.

The second half was almost all Skyline. About 8 minutes into the half Bentley made a great stop on a high shot.

The Hornets cleared the zone but turned the ball over at midfield. Skyline had left behind an extra cherry picker that the Saline defense didn’t account for. A long hard shot bounced toward the Saline goal. Christine Charpie was all alone in front of Bentley. Charpie deflected the shot past Bentley into the goal.

Midway through the half Saline had its best chance when Devin Reilly cracked a shot just a little bit wide from 20 yards.

Skyline continued to attack and failed to score on two more penalty corners.

With 7:00 to play Kayleigh Riggs took a good pass from Morton and then smacked a hard pass through the slot, but the Hornets couldn’t direct it on goal.

With 4:22 to play the Hornets turned the ball over. Grace Galglardi took a long pass and fired a low hard shot into the left corner to give Skyline the lead.

SISU Mouthguard 3 Stars

Emily Maloney – Scored one goal and nearly had another. Along with Hannah Jarvie, Maloney gave the Hornets great speed and skill on the wings.
Grace Livesey – The Saline junior played a tireless game at both ends of the field.
Audrey Morton – Usually a forward or midfielder, she was asked to join her big sister on defense and she played very well.