Villa Maria powers to another Distrct 1 Class AA field hockey title

Picking up where it left off in the in the semifinals, the Villa Maria field hockey team got goals from four different players en route to an easy 5-0 win over Upper Perkiomen Saturday night at Central Bucks West and earned its fourth straight District 1 Class AA championship.

It was the ninth district crown for the Athletic Association of Catholic Acdemies school under veteran coach Maurene Polley.

The top-seeded Hurricanes (21-2), coming off a 7-2 triumph over Merion Mercy in the semis, were a little slower to get rolling against the Indians but once they got that first goal, they were off.

Junior forward Samantha Mueller got Villa on the scoreboard with a goal with less than eight minutes gone in the game.

Sophomore Meghan Murphy and junior Caroline Troncelliti followed with goals in less than a minute-and-a-half to make it 3-0 at halftime.

"I think we were a little nervous at the beginning," said Villa back Olivia Bolles, explaining the slightly slower start than the one the Hurricanes had against Merion Mercy. "It took us a little while to get our intensity up."

Troncelliti added another goal in the second half and senior Cassie Mullen also scored. It was the 33d goal of the season for Troncelliti. Villa finished with a 9-4 advantage in penalty corners.

"Villa is fast and aggressive," said Upper Perk coach Jamie Warran. "They have some strong players."

The Indians are 16-6.

Both teams advance to the PIAA Class AA playoffs which begin Tuesday. The Hurricanes will face Oley Valley of District 11 in their opening-round game at Wissahickon at 1 p.m. The Magic will take on Lehighton, also from District 1, at 5 p.m., at Whitehall.

Upper Perkiomen   0 0 - 0

Villa Maria   3 2 - 5

Goals: VMA-Caroline Troncelleti 2, Meghan Murphy, Cassie Mullen, Samantha Mueller.

Saves: UP-Katie Lederer 8. VMA-Maddie Joyce 0, Julie D'Ascenzo 0.