Villa Maria back on top

A notice was issued to the field hockey teams of Pennsylvania on Saturday afternoon: It's November, so after a one-year hiatus, it is officially Hurricanes season once again.

Villa Maria closed out the game with three unanswered goals and defeated Gwynedd Mercy, 5-2, in the District 1 Class AA final at Wissahickon. Abby Siana had two goals and one assist, and MaryCate Butler dished out three assists to lead the Hurricanes.

It is the sixth district title in seven years for Villa Maria (16-1-1), which returns to the state tournament on Tuesday after a surprising absence last season.

"Last year, we learned that it doesn't come easy just because you're Villa," goalie Erika Miller said.

But the Hurricanes sure made it look pretty easy in the second half Saturday.

One minute after Gwynedd's Nicole Catalino tied the score, 2-2, Amelia Iacobucci knocked in a pass from Butler to give the Hurricanes the lead for good, with 27 minutes, 19 seconds left. Siana and Megan Vermeil added late goals to give Villa some breathing room. Miller, who finished with 16 saves, and the defense did the rest.

"When you play a team like Villa, you can't just have moments of greatness," Monarchs coach Sue Persichetti said. "You have to play great throughout."

Ava Rosati made 29 saves for Gwynedd, which will join Villa Maria in the PIAA state tournament next week.

The Hurricanes reached the state final in 2011 and 2012, so last year's elimination in the District 1 semifinals came as a shock. Still, the loss did not stop the Hurricanes from spending November playing field hockey.

Many Hurricanes spent part of the month playing in a tournament in Disney World last year.

Despite Saturday's unpleasant weather, they're happy to be in Pennsylvania this time around. The team credited the quick turnaround to new coach Daan Polders' one-game-at-a-time approach.

"I'd rather be playing for Villa than anyone else right now," Miller said.

Gwynedd (17-3) was the only team to beat Villa Maria this season, and there is a chance for one more meeting, in the state final.

"If we're ousted, we'd love to see them win and dominate for District 1," Persichetti said. "But as long as we're in it . . ."

The title game is scheduled for Nov. 15 at Whitehall in Lehigh County.

"That would be interesting," Miller said. "You never feel comfortable when you're playing them."

Gwynedd Mercy 1 1 – 2

Villa Maria 2 3 – 5

Goals: VM-Abby Siana 2, Amelia Iacobucci, Lindsay Dickinson, Megan Vermeil; GM-Corinne Persichetti, Nicole Catalino.

Saves: GM-Ava Rosati 29; VM-Erika Miller 15.