Plymouth Whitemarsh field hockey team has eye on deep playoff run

The Plymouth Whitemarsh field hockey team is ready to make a deep playoff run after capturing its fifth consecutive Suburban One American Conference title.

Led by second-year head coach Charise Halteman, the Lady Colonials did not allow a goal in 14 conference games. They finished the regular season with an overall record of 16-2.

The team's only losses came at the hands of Haverford High and North Penn, which finished second in the SOL Continental. Halteman admitted they failed to stay focused and play a full 60 minutes in those defeats.

"The past five years now we've been able to win the conference title. We're grateful for that, but we would like to take it one step further," said Halteman.

Ava Borkowski has scored 23 of the Colonials' 78 goals this season. Kennedy Reardon (13), Jess Dixon (11), Kaleigh Missimer (10), Sam Spera (9), and Julia Fiddler (8) also play key roles in Plymouth Whitemarsh's high-scoring attack.

Senior goaltender Katherine Houghton has played in every game this season, making 49 saves while recording an .890 save percentage.

The Colonials are currently sixth in the District 1 Class 3A rankings. The top eight seeds get a bye in the first round of the district playoffs, which get underway on Monday.

After receiving the No. 7 seed and getting a bye last year, Plymouth Whitemarsh beat Central Bucks South for its first second-round district win in at least 10 years. The Colonials fell to Conestoga in the quarterfinals and then ended the season in a tough playback loss at Central Bucks East, where they could have qualified for the state playoffs.

"My message to the team is to take things one game at a time," said Halteman. "But we're looking at the long-term goal of getting to states."

In order to get over the hump, Plymouth Whitemarsh will likely have to beat powerhouse teams like Downingtown West, Methacton, Haverford High, Conestoga, and Central Bucks East.

Halteman said the team will need outstanding communication skills while playing a solid 60 minutes as the playoffs get started.

The Colonials haven't made the state tournament since 2003.