Mount rallies three times for state-playoff win

Tuesday's first-round game in the PIAA Class AAA state field hockey playoffs didn't start very well for Mount St. Joseph.

The Magic had the first crack at the ball, but pushed it out of bounds in their half of the field.

Lower Dauphin (23-2), the defending state champion, pounced on the mistake, got a quick penalty corner, and scored with just 53 seconds gone in the game at Wissahickon.

The Mount spent much of the afternoon playing catch-up before senior midfielder Jenna Seybert broke a tie to give her team a 4-3 victory and a berth in Saturday's state quarterfinals.

The Mount, runner-up in District 1, had to come from behind three times to put away the Falcons, the third-place finisher from District 3.

"It was amazing how quickly they scored," Magic goalie Kat Matchett said. "I think we went into shock, but we recovered."

The Magic began their three-step recovery by tying the score, 1-1, on a goal by junior forward Allie Sabia with 13:55 to play in the first half.

The Falcons, who finished with a 10-5 edge in offensive penalty corners, were at it again in the second half. Hunter Bracale put Lower Dauphin up, 2-1, with 22:52 remaining. This time, the Magic answered more quickly, as Emilee Ehert scored with 20:04 to play.

Lower Dauphin took the lead again at 3-2 on a booming shot by senior back Suzy Martin off a penalty corner. Less than 13 minutes remained in the game.

The Mount (17-4-1) then earned three penalty corners within four minutes, scoring on two of them.

Senior Mary Jo Horgan made it 3-3 with 8:09 to go. It was Seybert's turn 50 seconds later, when she pushed a shot into the lower right corner of the cage.

"I've been practicing putting the ball in that corner," Seybert said.

The ball slid between Falcons goalie Sammy Kreiders and the post.

At that point, Lower Dauphin coach Linda Kreiser took a timeout. The Falcons came out of the timeout and recorded a pair of penalty corners, but a defensive save and an off-target shot allowed the Magic to escape.

"It was a great game," said Kreiser, who is in her 33d year at Lower Dauphin and has collected four state titles.

"Both teams had their chances. Give Mount St. Joseph credit for coming back. We enjoyed the run in the state championships last year. We were hoping to do it again."

But it will be the Magic, instead, trying to extend a run Saturday. They will play the winner of Tuesday's game between Wyoming Valley, the District 2 champion, and Northampton, runner-up in District 11.

Lower Dauphin   1 2 – 3

Mount St. Joseph   1 3 – 4

Goals: LD-Ashlee Krulock, Hunter Bracale, Suzy Martin; MSJ-Allie Sabia, Emilee Ehert, Mary Jo Horgan, Jenna Seybert.

Saves: LD-Sammy Zeiders 1; MSJ-Kat Matchett 7.