Pennsbury High School Field Hockey

August 30, 2022 
Neshaminy 5, Pennsbury 1

Preseason went by in a blur this year. It feels like we blinked and the next thing we knew we were standing opposite the defending SOL champs with the sound of the opening whistle ringing in our ears, said head coach, Traci Curtis. Facing Neshaminy in our first regular season game on the first day of school took a special type of preparation, both physically and mentally. We have been working really hard to fine tune our talents and put the pieces together. Today just helped us to catapult that process ahead as we scribbled game notes on how to improve across the board. The loss is disappointing, but the takeaway is valuable. The best part about playing Neshaminy in this first match up is that it completely establishes where we stand. What we think we are doing well we need to do better and what we think we need to work on continues to be true. The Skins came out strong and pushed us back on our heels right away. They are good at that. Their hard hits, speed, skill, and aggressive play are familiar Neshaminy traits that can be tough to match. This year our Pennsbury FH theme is #WORKINPROGRESS and it played itself out in perfect form over 4 quarters. The Skins scored 3 goals in the first quarter to put the Falcons down 3-0. Pennsbury refused to give up, there was no choice but to adjust. The second quarter was scoreless as the black and orange held it to 3-0 going into halftime. Progress. Neshaminy scored again early in the third making it 4-0 and then the Falcons answered back with their first goal. Riley Henderson took the penalty corner shot and Rylie Borgman redirected it to Meg McClure who tipped it into the cage. Progress. With the score 4-1 and a lot of game left to play, the Falcons continued to fight. Goalkeeper, Jordan Vradenburgh denied shot after shot and defender, Gabby Darling added 2 defensive saves. The Skins put in one final goal in the fourth quarter to make the final score 5-1, which is a much better outcome compared to last season's first match up when the Falcons fell to Neshaminy 7-0. Progress. We learned a lot about ourselves today as players and coaches and are grateful that we have the opportunity to keep working, growing, and getting better. Pennsbury will travel to Truman on Thursday and host Hatboro-Horsham on Friday to finish out the week of play.

September 1, 2022 
Pennsbury 8, Truman 0

The Pennsbury Falcons had one day to collect themselves and rise up from their loss on Tuesday as they prepared for Thursday's game against Truman. With the lessons learned slung over their shoulders, the orange and black arrived with a renewed perspective and mindset regarding the second game of the season and were ready to take the step forward. Although they were still traveling, the overall landscape of this contest was very different - playing on turf instead of grass, a different level of pressure, and a varied lineup of players covering the field. It did not take long to get into a groove and the comfort felt in every layer of our team set us up for success, said head coach, Traci Curtis. Goals and assists were contributed by a variety of players and every player on the roster got time on the turf. We were able to explore many of our penalty corner options, which was helpful for that specialty unit. In the first quarter, Ava Jordan and Meg McClure (2) tallied 3 goals with the help of Rylie Borgman assisting for Jordan. Theresa Vazapphilly added another in the second to make it 4-0 going into the half. Borgman and McClure struck again in the third with 2 unassisted goals for a 6-0 lead and then Rachel Stein closed the game with 2 heads up plays in the circle making the final 8-0. We were very proud of the effort today and the way our girls handled themselves both on and off the field. Curtis had a lot to say about the opponent's program. Truman is being coached by two great women who are doing an awesome job of building from the ground up. The Tigers were stronger in many places than they have ever been - the defense worked super hard and the cohesiveness was evident. It was great to watch.  I have the utmost respect for their program and how hard they work to compete in our conference, never giving up. The Truman goalie, Stacy Cavillard, played an amazing game with about 16 saves and denying our team on a penalty stroke. Despite the lopsided score, the Tigers should be proud of how they battled us out there, Curtis added. We can never take our losses too seriously or our successes. We are all a work in progress and each of these 18 steps along the SOL regular season path will present an opportunity that we need to embrace and use to be better than when we started. Pennsbury will host their first home game Friday against Hatboro- Horsham as they head into the holiday weekend. 

September 2, 2022 
Pennsbury 5, Hatboro-Horsham 1

(Liv Graebner also had an incredible game and protected the center of the defensive end beautifully denying Hatboro from getting into the circle many times)

September is off to a great start for Pennsbury field hockey. Today's home opener against Hatboro-Horsham made it two wins in a row since the calendar flipped to the new month. The game ended with the Falcons on the winning side of the 5-1 final score in contrast to when they played Neshaminy.
“It felt so good to play on our home field today,” said head coach, Traci Curtis. “Both of our scrimmages in addition to our first two games were away for us, so it was a relief to come home and settle into our space.
“We tried some new things today as we work through trial and error, and the girls just clicked and looked great out there. The passing was quick, sharp, and accurate, which resulted in great connections from end to end.”
It took us a little time to get on the board, but we finally put one in at the end of the first quarter as Mia Popovich cleaned up during a penalty corner opportunity. In the second quarter, Rachel Stein added a goal off of an assist from Meg McClure and Popovich notched another on a rebound off of the pads.
“McClure is so solid for us,” Curtis said. “She is selfless and is a difference maker. She creates, encourages, leads, and helps others succeed out there.
“Rachel Stein came back to us the strongest she's ever been. She is contributing strongly on our offense and working so well with seasoned varsity players. Popovich is improving at warp speed and seems to master something new in every game.”
The Falcons led 3-0 going into the half.
“Our coaching staff was so excited to see the players applying all of the things we had worked on and talked about at practice,” Curtis said. “They really listen and work hard to implement the skills and strategies. That's what we love about moving through the season - the growth is happening in real time, and it brings us joy to feel that give and take within our field hockey family.”
The Hatters held Pennsbury scoreless in the third quarter. Curtis gave props to Hatboro's goalie who had many great saves throughout the game.
“She made it difficult for our third quarter line up to score,” the Falcons’ coach said. “She played really well the entire game.”
Early in the fourth, the black and orange made it 4-0 on a beautiful cross from Siya Patel to Chelsea Todd, who one-timed it right into the cage.
“That was a specific drill we had done at practice, and we could not contain ourselves when Todd connected on that so perfectly,” Curtis said.
Sweeper Gabby Darling closed out the scoring on a corner at the end of the fourth quarter.
“She flubbed the initial shot, but then recovered it, took a few dribbles, and sent it reverse stick into the corner of the cage,” Curtis said. “We loved seeing her navigate the mistake and making something happen without flinching. Darling is a threat in so many ways and still has so much more inside of her. It's exciting to watch her play.”
The Hatters did not give up even as the game clock ticked towards its final seconds. They earned a penalty corner and slammed one in on a great shot with 23 seconds left in the game to make it a 5-1 final. They walked away denying a shutout, which is a victory in itself. They made us work hard for our goals in every layer.
Other standout performances came from Molly Murray, Isabelle Vazapphilly, Rylie Borgman, Riley Henderson, Reagan Ward, and Ava Jordan.
“We will carry today with us into the weekend and enjoy where we are at the moment,” Curtis said. “It is temporary. Monday starts a new week with different challenges, and we will do all we can to prepare for the games that lie ahead.”  #WORKINPROGRESS

September 8, 2022 
Council Rock South 3, Pennsbury 1

Yesterday was a picture perfect day for field hockey and before the Falcons started their pre game warm up, they captured the perfect picture. Once the team photos for the yearbook were snapped, the black and orange readied themselves for another home battle, this time against the Hawks of Council Rock South. This was a big game for us, explained Coach Traci Curtis. Each contest carries with it a fresh focus, a new set of goals, and a different challenge and today we had specific things we were expecting (and hoping) as coaches. Unfortunately, we did not achieve at the level we wanted and will, once again, gather up the lessons learned and work even harder to put the pieces back together. Curtis admits that her team came out flat and a little too carefree at the start of the game. We are not asking the girls to be nervous or tense, but it would have been nice to see some more of them laser focused on the task at hand. The Hawks came down and scored in the first minute of the game jolting our defense from their sleep and setting the tone right away. It shouldn't take something like that happening for our players to realize it's time to compete, Curtis added. Once the whistle blows it's too late to decide to actually work hard - that thought needs to happen like back in August, or even earlier. Now that we have a few games under our belt, we are starting to see how our lineup is shaking out and who made that committed decision way back and is willing to fight for the greater good. CR South's second goal came later in the first quarter on a great lifted shot to make it 2-0 going into the second quarter.  After some adjustments, the Falcons came out a little stronger and held the Hawks scoreless in the second keeping the score 2-0 going into halftime. We had some moments of greatness and sparks that just couldn't ignite the way we wanted, said Curtis. My assistant, Britt Sheenan, and I were working double time during the break to figure out the best formula for the third quarter. Some things were working really well, but success doesn't come when it's 'some', it has to be more than that. Weaknesses are magnified against teams like South and we struggled with finishing or just being strong enough in too many places yesterday. Despite outstanding dives, saves, and winning circle scrambles from senior goalie, Jordan Vradenburgh, who denied 14 shots, the Hawks notched another goal in the third to take a 3-0 lead. In combination with Vradenburgh's stellar agility in the cage and leadership, junior Falcon defender, Riley Henderson added a defensive save to the books keeping South out of the goal for the remainder of the game. Henderson has been solid for us on D and is settling into her role so well. She is tough and skilled and able to help us get out of the backfield. Being down 3-0 did not feel good as we began the fourth quarter, but I have to say we came out for the final 15 minutes with some fire. We caught South on their heels a little bit and had a couple of really great opportunities on crosses from Meg McClure, but we were seconds behind the connection, missing by inches. If we connect on those cross passes, we are looking at a tie game in the fourth - a completely different game. Woulda, coulda, shoulda...Curtis and Sheenan were pained watching those balls go by the cage. Pennsbury did not give up and with 11 minutes remaining in the game, Rylie Borgman scored a lone goal on a beautiful breakaway set up with the help of Mia Popovich. Borgman has speed, smarts, and is a hard worker. She finished that breakaway so well and gave us the first spark of hope in the game that was far from over. However, it proved to be too little, too late. The game ended with the Hawks winning 3-1 and Pennsbury wishing there was more time to play. As Curtis reflects, she believes that her girls are way more capable than they showed yesterday. We have much more fight in us than that - it is just a matter of who decides to come out ready on any given day. In addition to those already mentioned, the following Falcons battled hard and made a difference for us - Chelsea Todd, Liv Greabner, Ava Jordan, Molly Murray, Gabby Darling, and Angelina Kenney. Pennsbury will host Conwell today for another home contest before beginning some traveling next week. 

September 9, 2022
Pennsbury 5, Conwell 0

It was a battle of the birds Friday at Pennsbury. The Falcons flew into the weekend with a solid win over the Conwell-Egan Eagles, taking a tiny bit of the sting out of the loss to South only 24 hours before. We came into this game fueled by frustration about how we performed Thursday, admitted head coach, Traci Curtis. Each day is new, but we are definitely carrying the weight of the ups and downs from our first four games. Today was a step in the right direction to finding our groove and settling into a rhythm. Rachel Stein started off the scoring less than a minute after the starting whistle with an assist from Mia Popovich as they cleaned up rebounds off of the goalie's pads. Angelina Kenney added a beautiful goal with 15 seconds left in the quarter off of a deflection from Popovich. Meg McClure put a great shot on pads that Popovich deflected up and Kenney came in using her lacrosse talents and slapped it into the goal from mid air. It was an awesome combined effort and heads up play in the circle to put the Falcons up 2-0. The second quarter was scoreless on both sides as Conwell held the Falcons to 2 goals going into half time. The Hawks had really low, strong sticks that made it difficult at times to get the ball out of our defensive end. You can tell they have been working hard and really come together as a tougher team than in the past. They made us work for everything from end to end, Curtis said. Meg McClure added the only third quarter goal unassisted off of the goalie's pads putting the orange and black up 3-0. Yesterday we were on the other side of that 3-0 score, Curtis explained, so it felt good to be the ones putting the ball in the cage today. Rachel Stein struck again in the fourth on an assist from Ava Jordan and then Stein assisted the final goal of the game for Jessie Martin making the it 5-0 in favor of the home team. Rachel's cross was so accurate and Jessie was in the perfect spot for the tip. We practice that so much so it's beautiful when they are able to finish the pattern! They are great friends off the field so we loved seeing those two connect like that - pure joy! It was nice to see such a variety of players contributing in the game today and helping us to score and take charge. Our entire defense worked together sharing in the shut out - Gabby Darling, Riley Henderson (really strong performance), Liv Graebner, Angelina Kenney, Reagan Ward, and Kaylin Flannery kept the circle very well protected. Goalie and senior captain, Jordan Vradenburgh leads and has the unit running like a well oiled machine with her vocal guidance and direction. The non-league win puts a tally in the win column and gives us momentum as we head into next week and face CR North on Tuesday. It will be a week playing on turf so there are adjustments that need to be made as we prepare. We have to take care of our league games and really focus on what needs to be done from here on out. Focus on winning the moments and moving forward no matter what is in our path. Pennsbury will travel to Council Rock North on Tuesday and then travel again on Thursday to face North Penn.

September 13, 2022
CR North 1, Pennsbury 0

The story of today's Patriot division battle between Pennsbury and Council Rock North had a different ending for the Falcons as compared to their first meeting this time last year. It was another 1-0 game, but this time North came out on top and they earned it. It is always a good fight between our teams, said PHS head coach, Traci Curtis. We enjoy competing against them and love the challenge they present as it always results in a few good lessons for us. Today we came in having no idea what to expect and we left humbled and forced to look inside ourselves. As coaches, we tried to prepare the girls from top to bottom, inside and out, including finding turf time to practice for the change of surface, but we just fell short today in too many ways. This loss will sting for awhile. We really needed to tally a win in that league column. Jules Singer, who stepped up to lead the CRN team is doing a really nice job and it showed. Her girls were determined, hungry, and full of fire throughout the entire game. They did a lot of nice things out there on both sides of the ball. We were deadlocked at 0-0 the entire time, but they were successful in finishing in the circle and we were not. They outshot us 10-2 and created better scoring opportunities. The huge difference maker for them was Sierra Kim in the back. She was the driving force in stopping our entire offense from generating anything in the circle. She seriously stopped us in our tracks almost every time. Kim denied us many times trying to penetrate from all sides allowing us to have only had 2 shots on goal. That stat is just immensely disappointing, but also eye opening. The Falcons earned 8 penalty corners to North's 5, but just could not convert on any of those set pieces. Kaylin Flannery had a beautiful straight shot on a corner for us and their goalie had a great stop, explained Curtis. That was one of our only strong attempts at a goal. We had some good crosses that went wide and we just missed, but we have to find a way to make those "almost" plays turn into "we did it" plays! Our mistakes hurt us in every part of the field, from corner flubs, to missing simple passes, to forgetting rules in a rush - there is no room for those things in a SOL matchup like this. The absolute best part of our game was our goalie, Jordan Vradenburgh. She saved nine of Rock's ten shots and kept us at 0-0 until there were 4 minutes left in the final quarter. Jordan stood strong and protected that cage with determination for 56 minutes - she did her job and she did it well leading from the back. Other stand out defensive players included Riley Henderson, Olivia Graebner, and Angelina Kenney who together took control of the backfield and held off North as well as possible. The lone goal came from a tipped rebound off pads by Sierra Kim (with the help of teammate, Brynn B.). With 4 minutes left in the game, the orange and black felt they still had a shot to move the ball up field and create something. At 2 minutes we called a time out to collect ourselves and take a look at what needed to be done. When we returned to the field we were successful in getting the ball into the circle and then earning a corner as the clock struck zero so we had a golden opportunity to tie it up, said Curtis. Unfortunately, things did not pan out for us in that moment and the game ended in their favor. All we can do is learn from it and apply it to our preparation for the next step in the SOL path. Kudos to North on their performance and never giving up. Our rematch has to wait until our final game of the regular season in October. We have a lot of work to do between now and then. Pennsbury will travel to North Penn on Thursday and then host Pennridge on Monday.

September 15, 2022
North Penn 7, Pennsbury 1

"Failure is the foundation of success, and the means by which it is achieved." (Lao Tzu) According to the book titled, The Power of Failure, in order to succeed more, you need to fail more and if you are not failing enough, then you need challenges that will allow you to double your failure rate along the way so that you can, in fact succeed in the long run. Pennsbury field hockey coach, Traci Curtis, ironically is loving what some doses of "failure" are doing for her team this season. What is crazy is that I was extremely upset about our 1-0 loss to Council Rock North just two days ago yet so happy with our 7-1 loss against North Penn today. How does that make sense? It makes sense because through our loss today I saw so many things come together for our team. The rollercoaster of emotions is exhausting, but it's all part of the process and historically how our season stories seem to flow each year. We knew what we were facing in our North Penn opponent and I believe our poor showing and humbling loss to CR North was the best preparation we could have had going into this game, explained Curtis. Our girls were forced to turn inward and do a gut check and you don't learn how to do that when things come easily - you learn how to do that when things are tough. Today the girls played with heart, fire, and unity, and we are really proud. North Penn was up 2-0 in the first quarter and then 5-0 by halftime, but our girls were handling the game well and playing at such a high level the entire time. It was our best hockey yet despite being down by so many goals and that was exciting to watch. North Penn is a strong, fast, sharp, smart, scrappy team backed by a great goalie. Their ability to find each other's sticks with pinpoint passing is outstanding and so difficult to defend. They forced our players to adjust quickly and read and react at a faster pace than ever. The Knights scored two more goals in the third quarter making it 7-0, but Pennsbury kept fighting with everything they had. Goalie, Jordan Vradenburgh, tallied 19 saves and senior defender, Reagan Ward, earned a defensive save during one of the many battles in the circle. Most of North Penn's goals were a result of good rebounding off pads and scrappy play in the circle. We held them to 7 corners, which says a lot about our defenders ability inside the 16 - for the amount of time NP was in our circle, it speaks volumes about how well our backs took care of the ball, moved their feet, and stayed under control. We are really proud of our backfield - Reagan Ward, Riley Henderson, Olivia Graebner, Gabby Darling, and Jordan Vradenburgh really put on a great show. The Falcons had only 2 offensive corner opportunities and 9 shots on goal, but did end up on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter with four minutes left in the game. Meg McClure did all the work to get the ball into the offensive circle and after a little scuffle, Siya Patel passed it to sophomore, Ayla Alon, who used her reverse stick to tip it into the corner past the North Penn goalie. It was a great heads up play and saved us from being shut out. The girls were determined to score before the game's end and they achieved it. Through, what may have appeared to be a terrible failure to some, came so much success from our perspective. We won small moments, which gave us big confidence. Today was a significant turning point as individuals and as a team. We did our best and what this game provided was priceless - it allowed our players to truly feel their potential and recognize their capabilities in themselves and each other. Kudos to North Penn for their consistent, high level play. We appreciate what they taught us out there and are grateful for how much we could take away from those 60 minutes together. Pennsbury is set to host Pennridge on Monday, travel to Souderton on Wednesday, and then come back home Friday to face CB East.

September 19, 2022
Pennridge 5, Pennsbury 1

We have boarded the ride, strapped into our seats, and lowered the safety rail. The only sound we hear on this roller coaster is the clickety clack of the wheels on the old wooden track as we slowly ascend, filled with anticipation of what is to come. The climb is long and slow and the free fall inevitable. We have been here before. It is all too familiar. There are sharp twists and turns and even an unexpected reverse loop. The question is, "How will we handle the twists, turns, drops, and loops that throw us upside down?"  Will we scream with a white knuckled grip pushing back and regret getting on at all?  Will we hold on tight, but still laugh along the way? Or will we just let go with arms in the air, lean in, and let the ride fill us with the excitement and joy it was meant to give? Head coach, Traci Curtis, of the Pennsbury Falcons has definitely leaned in and let the ride take her as her team suffered another loss Monday, this time against the visiting Pennridge Rams. Despite the outcomes, we are seeing our girls begin to click and connect, work smarter, and do some great things out there on both sides of the ball, Curtis explains. The game was very even from the start and their first goal did not come until the last six minutes of the first quarter. The ball was not moving fast and just went right through the pads of our goalie, putting them up 1-0 going into the second quarter. We did not flinch and I'm proud of how focused we stayed at the start of the next quarter. We made some line up changes and went back to the drawing board with what combinations we felt would work. Pennridge did a good job or earning corners and connected on two of them at the 10 minute and 5 minute marks to make it a 3-0 game. The Falcons struck back with 3 minutes left before the half on a great goal by senior, Meg McClure keeping the orange and black hopeful with a 3-1 score at halftime. The third quarter was a draw with neither team scoring. We had some opportunities in the circle, including earning corners, but just could not make it happen. This has been our story for almost all of our games thus far - we cannot finish and get that little orange ball into the giant cage! Our defense has been rock solid, which is helping us to gain possession and create some momentum. Riley Henderson has stepped up huge for us this season and embraced her defensive role like a champ. She is solid, smart, and takes control back there when it is necessary. Gabby Darling is another solid defender who builds the brick wall and Reagan Ward has come up big for us lately. She is a converted attacker who is working so hard to make a difference with her unit in the backfield. Liv Graebner is such a leader on the field and always the spark we need. Angelina Kenney has contributed defensively for us as well. Graebner is so versatile and today she proved that tenfold. We made a few changes and moved her around and she helped to make a lot of things happen for us.  Our forwards and mids did work hard today, but just need the one final step to finish in the circle. The score remained 3-1 going into the fourth and the Falcons did not let down.  We held them in the fourth and tried our hardest to put the best combination of kids out there to encourage smart and scrappy play in our offensive 25. Pennridge just did such a good job of getting stronger as the game went on. They adjusted to the field well and came out with really strong sticks in the fourth and scored two more to make it a 5-1 final. We held them for more than half of the final quarter and kept fighting, but they were just better able to finish. We are seeing progress and doing some really great things on both sides of the ball, but it's just not enough to win against these recent match ups. This is the juicy part of the season and our next two weeks will be an intense gut check experience. It is time for us to have our crossover games and we will be challenged to the highest level every time. We will not be on the kiddie rides, it will be more like riding Kingda Ka at every starting whistle. Curtis says she plans on leaning into the ride and enjoying every moment with this amazing group of kids who know the only way is TOGETHER.  Pennsbury will be back on turf and on the road as they travel to Souderton on Wednesday night. 

September 21, 2022
Souderton 6, Pennsbury 0

The lights. The turf. The stadium. The announcer. The National Anthem paired with the setting sun. The slight chill in the air. It all sets the scene for a late September night game that seems to create a different kind of enthusiasm for players, coaches, and fans as well. The long bus ride was somewhat calm as the Falcons pre game mental prep simmered along the highway toward Souderton HS. You could feel the vibe of excited anticipation just under the surface and I could tell the girls were ready to play. Coming off of a frustrating performance against Pennridge on Monday and a "gut check" chalk talk at Tuesday's practice, my assistant coach, Britt Sheenan, and I were hoping tonight's challenge would bring out the best in our team. The girls did not disappoint. In this type of match up we cannot focus on the final score. Despite losing 6-0, we won in so many ways out there. Souderton came out and scored early, making a statement on their home turf, but we were so proud of how our team responded and did not let it phase them.  With a complete unified effort, our Falcons held them to 2 goals in the first quarter, playing with so much energy and heart. Souderton is a really fast, skilled, solid team with a huge talent and size advantage, but our girls just continued to work on playing their game and finding ways to succeed. The second quarter was a bit more messy for us as they increased the lead to 5-0 by the half with reverse stick shots, rebounds off of pads, and lifted goals. Halftime gave us the opportunity to analyze what was happening and adjust. With the score where it was, we decided to change things up and give everyone a chance to get out there and fight the good fight. Fresh legs and a different perspective always help. Tonight was a true full team effort from end to end as everyone got playing time. The second half was a Pennsbury victory as far as we were concerned. Souderton scored one more goal with seven minutes left in the third quarter and then never scored again. Our goalie, Jordan Vradenburgh came up HUGE and just kept getting better and better as the game went on. She tallied 32 saves and was tested for 60 minutes with reverse chips, rebounds, laser straight corner shots, and many circle scrambles. We are extremely proud of how she stood strong in that cage and rose to the occasion. She was protected well by her extremely strong backfield teammate, Gabby Darling, who notched 2 defensive saves to make it a complete 34 stops on their opponent's 40 shots on goal. They had 17 penalty corners against us and our defense stopped them almost every time. Although Pennsbury did not generate too much offense, we had 3 penalty corner opportunities and Meg McClure helped us to penetrate a couple of times and get shots off. One of the best moments was in the final seconds of the game as McClure carried the ball almost a field length, dodging, fighting, and beating players the whole way and earning a penalty corner as the time ran out. Unfortunately, the corner didn't get played out because scoring wouldn't change the winner of the game, but in our hearts we understood what she accomplished for us as a whole. She never backed down for a second and sent a strong message to her teammates that she believes we CAN.  Every loss provides an opportunity to learn and tonight we learned a ton about who we are as a family. Games like this are the ultimate classroom and force you to face your weaknesses and learn how to push yourself beyond self-perceived limits. We will continue to focus on winning many small moments and holding onto those as our measure of progress and success. One day we will put them all together and win a BIG moment. The long bus ride home was not quite as calm and we are happy about that. Finding joy through these tough sports experiences is a remarkable feat in itself. Thank you to these additional players for stand out efforts - Liv Graebner, Molly Murray, and Kaylin Flannery.  Pennsbury will host CB East on Friday. 

September 23, 2022
Pennsbury 3, Central Bucks East 2

We will always remember today's game as FREAKY FRIDAY at Falcon Field - the day our players switched bodies with more confident versions of themselves and pulled off an upset against the visiting Central Bucks East Patriots.
This game catapulted us out of a four-game losing slump during which we only scored two goals and had nineteen scored against us.
“What we love most about the outcome today was the resilience our girls exhibited over the past ten days and how they found a way to come together and work for each other - it was a "WE" not "ME" performance from start to finish,” coach Traci Curtis said.
Our captains led the way today - there was a feeling in the air that something was about to change. Senior captain Meg McClure had her hand in all three goals today with one goal and two assists. She created opportunities, helped others succeed, and supported the team with encouragement and belief. Junior captain Olivia Graebner has taken on a new position with authority and made a huge difference for us in so many moments today including scoring the third goal to stretch our lead. Senior captain Reagan Ward took charge on the right side of the backfield, taking away critical scoring chances for the Patriots. Our final senior captain, Jordan Vradenburgh, had 13 saves in the cage while guiding her entire defense through red zone strategies and denying 8 penalty corners. The rest of the team followed suit and put an amazing game together.
Junior, Rylie Borgman, started off the scoring with a tip past the goalie, giving us our first lead since Sept. 9. East tied it up with four minutes left in the opening quarter to make it 1-1 going into the second quarter. McClure's goal put us back in the lead (2-1) halfway through the second quarter and kept our Falcons on fire.
We knew that CB East would come out after halftime ready to pounce. They acclimated to the grass with ease, they were hungry, and very skilled. The third quarter was a tough battle, but our feisty Falcons did not back down. Graebner's goal came with five minutes left in the third to put us up 3-1. The Patriots answered back three minutes later to keep themselves alive. It was a 3-2 game with the final fifteen minutes left to play. East was threatening for sure, and we knew if they tied the game it would feel like a defeat, and we did not want to know that feeling. They had a lot of shots on goal and opportunities, but our girls found a way to protect the lead as a united force.
Molly Murray handled the middle beautifully as she redirected the ball out where it needed to go and made so many smart plays. Angelina Kenney was super solid in the midfield and Kaylin Flannery took her game to the next level with great defensive stops, hits, and heads up decisions. Ava Jordan helped the offensive push as well with her speed and determination. Juniors Riley Henderson and Gabby Darling are a dynamic duo in the back who work so well together and just keep getting stronger, smarter, and more confident with every moment. They are so much fun to watch as they work like a well-oiled machine. It was a nail biter final quarter that ended with neither team scoring, leaving the game at 3-2 in our favor.
When the whistle blew, we rushed the field toward our goalie and shared the most joyous moment of our season thus far.
“The win today was a result of the work we have done off the field as a family just as much as the work we have done on the field in the sport,” Curtis said. “We are a beautiful #workinprogress, and we are not afraid to embrace the ups and downs progress demands. We know that we cannot go forward without setbacks, and today proved that we are worthy of competing and succeeding just as much as anyone else. Today the girls took all of the lessons from our defeats and combined them to create success. The holiday weekend will provide a much-needed rest period and will allow us time to saturate ourselves in this moment.”
Pennsbury (4-6, 2-6 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks West on Thursday

September 29, 2022
Central Bucks West 6, Pennsbury 1

The only thing more amazing than the sunset that fell over CB West’s War Memorial Stadium before the 7pm senior night game was the performance by Pennsbury goalie, Jordan Vradenburgh. Hold that thought as we sidestep for a moment, and we will come back to it later. The final score of this game does not tell the story the way it should be told. Yes, the score lets us know who wins and losses, but it can be a sneaky foe, hiding the details that lie beneath the surface of those two numbers.
The events leading up to game time included an hour delay in leaving for West, a shortened JV game and warm-ups all around, senior athlete introductions for both teams (thanks to great hosting by the Bucks), a stunning sunset, and (due to technical difficulties) an a cappella performance of the National Anthem by all of the players. Yes, they broke out in song to make up for the music mishap and honored the flag together with a beautiful off-key compilation.
Despite the haphazard pre-game routine, the Falcons came out strong and were ready to compete. Still fueled by their win over (Central Bucks) East Friday, the orange and black got on the scoreboard first and led 1-0 with seven minutes left in the first quarter.
“We got ourselves into the circle and put pressure on, and the next thing we knew Angelina Kenney poked it over the line on an assist from Mia Popovich - it was scrappy and exactly what we needed to do,” said head coach Traci Curtis.
We held the lead until West connected with 46 seconds left in the first quarter to tie it up.
“Those six-plus minutes we had the lead were filled with great hockey on both sides,” reflected Curtis. “The energy was high, the pace super fast, and the intensity palpable. It was a great ‘win-the-moment moment for us, and for that period of time (in combination with our Friday win), we were able to experience what it means to truly BELIEVE.”
We knew that the Bucks would have an answer and answer they did. They scored two great goals within minutes of each other in the second quarter to go ahead 3-1 in a blink of an eye. The Falcons were not shaken and used the power generated from that belief to hold the Bucks to the two-goal lead going into the half.
“We reminded the girls at halftime how quickly that score could turn around with a focus on fine tuning a few things in the midfield and offensive red zone,” Curtis said.
CB West began to completely dominate offensively in the third quarter, spending a majority of the time knocking on our goalie's door, but Pennsbury refused to let up and dug in hard defensively to keep the entire third quarter scoreless.
Curtis said, “It was great that they didn't add to their lead, but at the same time, we were having a hard time getting any offensive advantages. It was not for lack of effort.
“Molly Murray handled right mid really well tonight, getting the ball where it needed to go, and offensively, McClure, Graebner, Popovich, and Borgman fought a good fight. We can't say enough about our defensive unit - Gabby Darling, Reagan Ward, Riley Henderson, and Kaylin Flannery.”
Curtis went on to describe her backfield as “connected, gritty, smart, and hard working.”
“The fourth quarter was a struggle for us, Curtis admits. “Fatigue was a factor and CBW just kept getting faster as we were fading. They pulled away in the fourth scoring three more goals and put an exclamation point on their senior night victory.
“We did not have an answer to their energy surge and their level of play as they settled in and took control of the game, and it is something we need to improve - continuously adjusting and being able to match the level of play as it changes.”
Let's now return to Jordan Vradenburgh in the goal for the Falcons. This is the part of the story the 6-1 final score does not reveal. Central Bucks West had 31 shots on goal, and Vradenburgh saved 25 of them. West also hammered us by earning 21 penalty corners, yet only scored on one of them.
“This speaks volumes about the caliber of play from our goalie and her unit back there,” Curtis said. “Jordan is a great leader, communicator, guide, encourager, and best of all, her performance backs it all up. She denied shot after shot, keeping her team alive and making the Bucks work hard for every goal scored. The fact that they only scored six goals is a testament to what Vradenburgh brings to this team. It was an overall great night in West's stadium. This game will certainly help us as we prepare for our battle on Monday against CB South. We know what to work on and will continue to hone skills with each step we take. Congratulations to West on their senior night victory and many thanks for a great game!”

October 7, 2022
Neshaminy 3, Pennsbury 0

The last time the Falcons touched their grass field was Friday, September 30th. Hurricane Ian's impact a week ago, forced a home game cancellation and the need to practice indoors during the week leading up to today's game. We had to get very creative in our preparation as our field was under water and we needed to give it time to heal, Head Coach, Traci Curtis explains. The focus this week was on specific situations and skills and just becoming the best version of ourselves as possible. Our girls came out ready to release their pent up energy from the long pause and we are so proud of their entire performance. Today we did not play intimidated and we remained true to our game. We have grown into a smarter, faster, and stronger team.  It was a very even first quarter with neither team scoring. Talk about progress, the first time we played Neshaminy back on August 30th we were losing 3-0 after the first quarter. It was great to see our girls taking charge, winning small moments, and believing in themselves. Neshaminy connected twice in the second quarter and Pennsbury went down 2-0, but the orange and black knew there was plenty of game left and were so excited to get back out there and go even harder. It was another stellar showing for our defensive unit - Reagan Ward, Gabby Darling, Kaylin Flannery, and Riley Henderson. The give and take, communication, and ebb and flow of that unit is fun to watch. Gabby Darling stopped almost everything that came her way and is the most wonderful protector of her goalie. Speaking of the goalie, Jordan Vradenburgh once again proved that she is among the best in the league. Neshaminy had 18 shots on goal and 12 penalty corners, and only 3 of them got by Vradenburgh. She is the backbone of our defense and sets the tone for everything that happens in the red zone. The third quarter was another scoreless battle and the Falcons found themselves with fifteen minutes  to work toward chipping away at the 2-0 deficit. We struggled finishing on offensive opportunities and although we earned a penalty corner at one point, we were not able to convert. Neshaminy tallied a third goal early in the fourth quarter and the 3-0 score would hold to the ending buzzer. Olivia Graebner and Meg McClure were another huge reason for our successful showing today, in addition to Chelsea Todd's efforts. Angelina Kenney and Molly Murray contribute so much for us as well and help our midfield be a great connecting layer. It was another loss for us, but we won in so many other ways today, said Curtis. The Pennsbury Wink 4 Pink organization was on the sidelines raising money for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Being able to support that cause for our school is so special. It's things like that that help us to hold onto a perspective that keeps us grounded, humble, and an incredible program in more ways than just the sport. In the coming week we will also support Mini THON, Appendix Cancer, and collect food for the food pantry. Yes, today we lost another game, but as we near the end of our 2022 season, we could not be more thrilled with the hearts of every single player on our team and how they have lived out our #workinprogress theme. Today we were better than we were month and a half ago. We can. We will. End of story.  The Falcons will host Truman on Monday to kick off a four game week. 

October 10, 2022
Pennsbury 4, Truman 0

There is a saying that goes, "Any team can beat any team on any given day". The Truman Tigers arrived at Pennsbury with that quote blazing in their hearts. I have so much respect for their hard work, drive, and ability to show up with renewed determination for every game, said Pennsbury's head coach, Traci Curtis. The progress they have made is an incredible testament to their coaches and especially to the players who have obviously decided that giving up is not an option. They have definitely improved their field hockey IQ, individual skills, and come together as a team to make it all work, Curtis observed. We gave some different players the opportunity to start for us today and they did a nice job out there, Curtis explained. Truman put up a solid fight and held us scoreless for the first two quarters. Although we were frustrated that our kids weren't scoring, we could not help but be so excited to see the success of our opponents. We all share the same vision of growing the game in our area so celebrating one another across the league should be a natural part of what we do each day. Kudos to Truman's goalie and red zone defenders who made it tough for our first line up to get one into the cage. Their goalie had some really nice saves and kept us on our toes, forcing us to be creative and figure out a way around her! Some of the Tiger's defenders came to the ball hard and had really strong sticks against us. The Falcons broke the scoreless tie in the third quarter when Mia Popovich snuck one in during a circle scramble (unassisted). Popovich tallied another goal about two minutes later on an assist from Meg McClure. Meg and Mia are sparks that ignite offensive energy and momentum so when they stepped onto the field, the game did shift in our favor. McClure has such a knack for the right side and Popovich has an eye for the ball that is hard to match. She's fast, scrappy, and does whatever it takes to get to the ball and make something happen.  McClure capitalized on a beautiful shot with one minute left in the third to give the orange and black a 3-0 lead. She is a difference maker for our team and her style of play forces her teammates to raise their game when she's on the field. The fourth goal for the Falcons came at the end of the final quarter on a penalty corner shot from Reagan Ward. Ward is one of senior defenders who has such a nice, strong hit. We brought her up to take the shot and she got it off just in time and McClure was there to tip it in. It was a really nice corner. We have been struggling with success on offensive corner set pieces so it felt good to see one result in a goal. Today was a full team effort with every single varsity player contributing to the game, along with some additional players who had a chance to see what a varsity game feels like, said Curtis. Avalee Shumski did some really nice things out there along with Riley Askey, Abby Anderer, and Olivia Coen. There are lessons to take away from every match up and it's up to the kids to decipher what those lessons are. In addition to the game, Pennsbury's Mini THON reps were on the sidelines raising money FOR THE KIDS in the fight against childhood cancer. The Falcons wore their GOLD OUT shirts in honor of the organization and the team will make a donation to the club as well. Once again we are reminded that it is bigger than us and the game is just a piece of the larger picture. Today was a fun field hockey day and despite the win/lose because of the score, it was a WIN/WIN for Pennsbury and Truman in so many ways. Best of luck to the Tigers as they finish out their season! Pennsbury will travel to face Bensalem for the first time this season Wednesday night. 

October 12, 2022
Pennsbury 4, Bensalem 0

It was a great night under the lights as the Pennsbury Falcons traveled to face the Bensalem Owls for their senior game celebration. The original first game between the two, much earlier in the season, was canceled due to field conditions so it was a long wait for both teams. The Bensalem coaches respectfully honored our seniors as well, said Head Coach, Traci Curtis. It is always so nice for the girls to be recognized and share in the special night. It's a great way to kick off the game for each team. What's funny, Curtis adds, is that we will be having our senior game when we play Bensalem again next week and we will reciprocate the gesture. Night games have a different vibe of course, but what is really great is that the later game allows for people to attend who may not be able to make the afternoon time. We had an alum make the trip from her college to see the game and a group of Pennsbury middle school players showed up to watch as well. It is those little things that help to grow the game and continue to build our program, said Curtis. Our girls were definitely ready when they stepped on the field and they proved it four minutes into the quarter as Angelina Kenney connected on an assist from Mia Popovich to put the Falcons on the scoreboard first. Meg McClure added a goal with five minutes left to put them ahead by two and then the quarter ended with the orange and black up 3-0 on another McClure-Popovich combo. The second quarter was when the last goal of the game was scored and it was once again a McClure tip off of a Popovich cross. With a four goal lead, we made edits to our line up in the second half and gave every player the opportunity to go out there and contribute. We saw some great things happening throughout the second quarter despite the scoring drought. Confidence was built, players were passing beautifully, people were taking risks and trying new things - it was really fun to watch. Curtis was most excited about the passing. We were connecting in amazing ways tonight with both line ups - the off ball decisions were great and the accuracy of passing made a huge difference. This was a great way to prove what we are capable of and it was helpful in preparing us for our four remaining games. Bensalem's goalie had some good saves and kept us scoreless in the second half. We had many opportunities including some good corner shots, but they were able to fend us off. Kudos to them for being strong and tough in the circle. It was a quiet night for our goalie, Jordan Vradenburgh, but she did make a few key saves on Bensalem breakaways. Tonight was a complete team effort and in the end, that's what makes a game like this special. Shout out to some shining moments for particular players - Jessie Martin, Siya Patel, Rachel Stein, Lily Abraham, Theresa Vazapphilly, Isabelle Vazapphilly, Ava Jordan, and Ayla Alon. Pennsbury will host CB South next for a make up crossover game on Thursday and then travel to CR South on Friday to finish out the four game week. 

October 14, 2022
Council Rock South 5, Pennsbury 2

It was the final Friday of the regular season, and the Pennsbury field hockey seniors felt the sentimental tug at their hearts as they traveled to CR South for what was also their final away game of 2022. It was a crazy week leading up to CR South as the Falcons hosted a home game, traveled to a night game, and had to postpone a game just a day prior.
"The end of the regular season seems to move at warp speed and even though we know it's coming, there is always so much emotion attached to the ‘lasts’ with each class of seniors,” said Coach Curtis. “The girls do a great job of channeling that emotion into coming together to play solid games as one united force. We had a good warmup and came out ready to do the work.”
South is a strong, skilled, fast team, and it was definitely a different experience playing them on their turf compared to our grass. The Hawks struck first in the opening quarter and the score remained 1-0 going into the second. Once again, our defense stepped up to the task and made some really great plays to help hold of the Hawks attack. Council Rock South added to its lead in the second quarter and Pennsbury continued to search for ways to adjust and make a counterattack. The game was 2-0 at halftime, and it was far from over according to the orange and black.
“Our focus at halftime was not solely on the end result, but on the moment and all of the wonderful opportunities we had in front of us,” Curtis said. “Being on the losing end of a score is simply a challenge in progress, and it was our goal to face the challenge as a collective unit and just get better.”
The third quarter ended with Pennsbury down 3-0 after CRS tallied another in the first five minutes. It took until the fourth quarter for the Falcons to answer back and prove that they have staying power and the ability to grow despite the obstacles in their path. Meg McClure, who spent the entire first three quarters fighting through defenders to keep possession, create, and gain yards, finally connected five minutes in on a great shot from right inside the circle making the score 3-1.
“It was an awesome shot and a great spark that the girls needed to fire them up for the final ten minutes of the game,” Curtis said. “We made some lineup changes, and the energy just rippled through everyone. The support our girls give to one another is a great strength and serves us well.”
The Hawks tried to extinguish the Falcons' spark with another goal with five minutes left, but the Falcons refused to let up, using the "together" mentality to the fullest. McClure connected again with four minutes left and the scoreboard illuminated a 4-2 score.
“The second goal was a beautiful moment for us all,” Curtis said. “It started with senior Siya Patel and reached senior Jessie Martin. Martin made a smart pass to senior Rachel Stein, who tapped it to senior Meg McClure. McClure finished it, making it a complete senior progression up the field.
“The contributions of all of those girls in that play was worth celebrating and celebrate they did. We are so proud of Siya, Rachel, and Jessie for how hard they have worked to get to that moment. It felt so good to see them accomplish that and score one more against such a strong team late in the fourth.”
The Hawks did squeak in another goal with less than two minutes left in the game, resulting in a 5-2 final.
“I wish we could have held them to one less, but we did all we could for 60 minutes,” Curtis said.
Once again, despite the numbers on the scoreboard, the story of PHS goalie Jordan Vradenburgh, tells a better truth about the battle. Vradenburgh was pummeled with a myriad of shots - 30 of them - and had 25 saves.
“She is so much fun to watch and I honestly believe she thrives when tested to the highest level,” Curtis pointed out. “Jordan is incredible in the cage, and the defensive unit she has helped to create is very special.
“All of our players were able to see time today, making it a full team effort. As we head into our final three games of the regular season, we look forward to watching our field hockey family come together and finish as a better version of ourselves than when we started two months ago. We will be crossing the finish line of our season with service in our hearts as we collect food at our three home games in support of a local food pantry.
Pennsbury (6-9, 4-9 SOL) will honor its seniors on Monday against Bensalem, host CR North on Tuesday, and then close out 2022 at home on Thursday against Central Bucks South.

October 17, 2022
PENNSBURY 10, BENSALEM 1
(Article submitted by Pennsbury field hockey)
It was an all-SENIOR kind of afternoon for the Pennsbury Falcons as they celebrated their sisters in the sport who will be leaving the nest after this season. Even Mother Nature paused to celebrate the 10 incredible athletes, holding off her storm so everyone could enjoy the festivities and game rain free.
Just five days ago, Pennsbury played Bensalem for their senior recognition game, walking away with a 4-0 win, but coach, Traci Curtis, reminded her players about never taking any game lightly.
"These senior days are jam-packed with emotions and create such a joyful atmosphere, but they can also potentially throw a team off and create unbalance for game time,” the Falcons’ coach sadi. “It always makes me nervous when we have a shortened, wacky warmup and are distracted from the task at hand. However, I do believe, at the same time, that celebrating our seniors can be a wonderful way to unite and prepare to face our opponent.”
The Falcons proved they were not distracted and came out dominating offensively. We had all ten seniors on the field at once to start the game, and it was great to watch them work together to get the job done. Some girls were in new positions in order to accommodate all ten, but they handled it with strength and found themselves up 2-0 after the first quarter. Rachel Stein notched both goals on assists from Isabelle Vazapphilly and Meg McClure continuing her offensive contributions that have improved throughout the entire season.
The senior show continued in the second quarter when Reagan Ward converted a penalty corner opportunity into a beautiful goal off a perfect pass from Molly Murray at the top of the circle. Meg McClure followed with the Falcons' fourth goal (unassisted) making it a 4-0 game going into halftime. The Bensalem goalie protected the cage well. We had 14 penalty corners and 16 shots on goal, and she stopped two thirds of them.
Halfway through the third quarter, Rylie Borgman was able to finish on a scrappy penalty corner soon after McClure's goal. Borgman was assisted from Riley Henderson, and the score was 5-0 in a blink. The Owls refused to let down and found the back of the cage with 34 seconds left in the third to stop a shutout and prove they had grit.
It was 5-1 as the final 15 minutes began, meanwhile, the sky was darkening by the second with a storm looming in the distance. The Owls just couldn't stop the senior-powered Falcon lineup in the fourth quarter. The orange and black, fueled by the excitement of the atmosphere (or barometric pressure), went on to score five more goals in the fourth quarter, closing the game out with a 10-1 win. Olivia Graebner lifted one to the back corner assisted by Mia Popovich, Meg McClure added another unassisted goal, Theresa Vazapphilly scored on an assist from Reagan Ward, Graebner scored the Facons' ninth goal assisted by McClure, and McClure racked up more points, scoring one in the back corner on an assist from Graebner.
“Multiple players scored and assisted for us today, and it was awesome to see the unselfish play across the board,” Curtis said. “We still have two more tough games left to play, and with no opportunity to practice, this was our means of preparation - real game moments that force us to read and react in every layer of the field.
“This season we have struggled a lot with scoring and keeping possession, so it felt good to have success in those areas today in addition to really good passing and off ball movement. Congratulations to the Bensalem seniors and to our Falcon Families celebrating their seniors as well. Meg McClure, Molly Murray, Rachel Stein, Jessie Martin, Isabelle Vazapphilly, Theresa Vazapphilly, Jordan Vradneburgh, Siya Patel, Liv Graebner, and Reagan Ward are extremely special members of our field hockey family. They have helped us to build something special here and will leave a beautiful legacy behind. We thank them and their families for all they give to us each and every day.”
Pennsbury (7-9, 5-9 SOL) will host Council Rock North Tuesday and then finish the regular season on Thursday against CB South. Bensalem (2-13-1, 1-13-1) will host Neshaminy on Tuesday and close out its season with a non-league game at Northeast High School on Wednesday.

PENNSBURY 1, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 0
(Article submitted by Pennsbury field hockey)
The Falcons rolled in a little sluggish from the BIG emotions of their senior game on Monday.
“This week marks ‘the beginning of the end’ for those graduating from the program, and we are working so hard to keep their eyes focused on what is right in front of them - being present,” coach Traci Curtis said. “There is still significant work to be done, and the girls knew the importance of today's battle against Council Rock North - a win would push us ahead of them in the Patriot Division. They understood the assignment.
“It was difficult to predict what we would face in North today because of all of the things that were different since the first time we faced them on Sept. 13. That first game was away on their turf and only six games into the season. At that point, we were still building confidence, didn't even have our line up solidified, and had barely had a chance to practice on turf. One month later, here we are in game 17 playing them at home on our grass field with a more solid understanding of what roster combo and formation works best for us. We are also an improved unit due to the lessons from some really great games leading up to this moment.”
Pennsbury put pressure on North's red zone very quickly and created early opportunities that were stifled by North's Sierra Kim. Kim is super solid in the backfield for them. Jules (Singer) utilizes her perfectly, and Sierra never fails to get the job done. Her task was to stop our offense and that she did very well throughout all four quarters. Pennsbury found a way around Kim and got on the scoreboard first with a scrappy tip off a cross pass with seven minutes left in the first quarter. That ended up being the only goal of the game and the winner for PHS. Senior captain Liv Graebner had the assist for Mia Popovich's game winner.
“Graebner has played in various places for us this season, vacillating between offense and defense,” Curtis said. “She is a vital part of both of those areas of the field, so we make intentional decisions from game to game to determine what we need most from her that day. We got it right today in placing her. We have had a lot of success with Graebner working offensively with Popovich and McClure. It has been fun watching them grow together and get into a groove. Meg McClure created a lot for us today with selfless decisions and determination that rippled through every player. Meg does a lot of the heavy lifting and helps us to keep possession.”
North's goalie had some great saves for them today. Pennsbury tallied 15 shots and five penalty corners resulting in only a single goal. That speaks volumes about the keeper and the defensive unit. The Pennsbury keeper, Jordan Vradenburgh, protected the shutout with four key saves and great leadership from the back. Reagan Ward, Riley Henderson, Gabby Darling, and Kaylin Flannery were solid on defense for the orange and black, holding North to less than five shots on goal. Mia Popovich, Molly Murray, Rylie Borgman, Ava Jordan, and Angelina Kenney helped to maintain possession and fought very hard in every play from end to end. Senior Rachel Stein came in late in the game and made some key plays to keep the Falcons lead intact.
“Rachel did some great things out there today and that is what we consider a bigger victory than the actual win,” Curtis said. “Seeing a player make such awesome progress is what sticks with us wherever we go.
Today was a good game between two evenly matched teams. Pennsbury lost to North 1-0 back on Sept. 13 with one goal scored late in the fourth quarter. Today North lost to Pennsbury 1-0 with one goal scored in the first quarter.
“Jules (Singer) has done a wonderful job with her program, and it was fun playing them each time we did this season,” Curtis said. “We wish her and her team lots of luck as they move into the future.”
The Falcons (8-9, 6-9 SOL) will host CB South on Thursday for a very important final game of the regular season.
“The opportunities are still there,” says a hopeful Curtis. “Our focus is on CB South and the 60 minutes we will play against them. We will worry about what is beyond that when it's time.”

October 20, 2022
CB SOUTH 3, PENNSBURY 1

The scheduled game between Pennsbury and CB South had to be postponed twice due to field conditions. It was a home game for PHS so the grass field caused complications when the rain hit each time they were supposed to play. It was a good thing that the weather cooperated today because the PIAA deadline had arrived and we had to play or like Cinderella and her glass slipper fiasco, we would have turned into pumpkins and the game would have just disappeared. There is always a heightened anticipation for me when facing PT and her South team, explained head coach, Traci Curtis. Pat Toner is a huge mentor in the field hockey world and is someone I admire tremendously. She is full of endless knowledge of the game and has been successful for so long, but even better she is just a great person. What I love most is that as she guides her own team through a season she never hesitates to listen and share ideas with me about anything and everything. All I have to do is ask.  I can reach out to her and she is always willing to talk and help, said Curtis. It is still surreal that I played against her when she coached at Council Rock back in the day and I was a player for Neshaminy. Now here we are standing on the sideline coaching opposite one another as SOL peers. It makes me both terrified and excited at the same time. Combine that crazy combo of feelings with the fact that it was our final game of 2022 and there I am aboard an emotional rollercoaster leading me out of the season, admits Curtis. Despite the feelings of "finality" that hung in the air, our girls came ready to play and leave it all on the field. South stuck first on a scrappy corner play putting them up 1-0 four minutes into the first quarter. The game went back and forth much of the time with both teams making great plays in all layers of the field. I feel like we forced them to alter their game a bit and react to our playing, which gave us the confidence to go with strength and take risks. The score remained 1-0 into the second quarter until the Titans connected on a cross and tip with five minutes left before half time. The energy was high and very positive in our halftime huddle, said Curtis. The girls were proud of themselves and excited to get out and battle back from the 2-0 deficit. They weren't allowing the losing score to harm their game and that was great to see. The Falcons had offensive opportunities that just missed by inches, but they never let down. Five minutes into the third quarter, Mia Popovich and Meg McClure did what they do so well and cleaned up after a corner shot to put it past the goalie. They are such sparks for us and work so well together with their combined speed, skill, and grit. It was a 2-1 game and getting more exciting by the second as PHS kept pushing forward and earning a few corners along the way. It was still a one goal game as the final fifteen minutes began. We were so proud of how everyone was playing and we could see it in their faces that the whole season of hard work had come together in that moment. It was happening right before our eyes - the "work in progress" mentality made sense. South is not a team that is going to just roll over and make it easy for anyone. They came out harder and more determined to protect their lead. You could sense their frustration with the flow of the game on grass, but their skill and game IQ far outweighed any lack of momentum. The Titans put in their third goal with eight minutes left in the game and that is where the score would stay. It was another great showing by PHS goalie, Jordan Vradenburgh, who tallied 11 more saves to add to her impressive career total. Liv Graebner, Riley Henderson, Reagan Ward, Gabby Darling, Angelina Kenney, Rylie Borgman, Ava Jordan, Kaylin Flannery, and Molly Murray battled hard and won many small moments as individuals and as a unit. We called a timeout with five minutes left and put all ten of our seniors into the game. It was the perfect way to finish - watching them all play together one last time was really special, said Curtis. Our season theme, #workinprogress, played itself out perfectly today. So many things came together and the growth of our team was palpable. When we look back starting at August and think of the story of the past two months, it is awesome and written the way only we can write it. We are grateful for the time we had to coach our seniors - Graebner, Martin, McClure, Murray, Patel, Stein, T. Vazapphilly and I Vazapphilly, Vradenburgh, and Ward. We stand behind them always as we send them off to finish out their senior year. Congratulations to a very talented CB South team. We wish them and all other teams the best of luck in playoffs. Thank you also to all of the refs who called our games and kept us playing safely. Until next year...