Holmes’ big shot helps Woodstown beat Schalick for second time this season; Salem Tech just about seals up division title
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville 3, Salem 0
Salem Tech 3, Gloucester Catholic 1
Woodstown 3, Schalick 1
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN – Lux Holmes couldn’t say she was surprised by the first question in her post-game interview. Woodstown had just scored a huge TCC Diamond Division win over archrival Schalick 3-1 with Holmes scoring the final goal, but instead asking about the impact of the game the inquisitor wanted to know the impact she had on the ball.
How hard do you hit that field hockey slap shot?
Holmes hit a rocket from the top of the circle with 10:33 left in the third quarter that would make Alex Ovechkin feel proud. The ball made a loud bang in the back of the cage after it whizzed past Schalick goalie Joysinna Johnson’s left shoulder in a blur.
Holmes has never had her shot measured and Wolverines coach Gloria Byard never thought to do it. Suffice to say you don’t want to stand in front of it without goalie pads, and even then it doesn’t tickle.
She doesn’t know if there’s an NHL player she patterns her shot after, but there is a field hockey player she tries to emulate. She wants to be like former Wolverine Megan Donelson. She plays the same position and has the same powerful shot.
There was a lot on the line in the game. Schalick was riding a seven-game winning streak after a balky start and one game behind the Wolverines in the loss column in the division standings. Woodstown was looking to snap a two-game losing streak and complete a season sweep of their rival, getting a bit of payback after the Cougars beat them twice the year before. The teams started the day 6-7 in the South Jersey Group 1 power points standings.
The Wolverines scored twice in the first quarter and never looked back. Talia Guardascione scored five minutes into the game and Joey Foot scored off a corner as time was expiring. Paisley Warner made it 2-1 when she made a spin move in front of an open net and scored 2:46 before halftime.
Top photo: Schalick’s Genevieve Smith (R) tries to turn the ball away from Woodstown’s Margaux Lipovsky during Tuesday’s field hockey game.
SALEM TECH 3, GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 1: The Chargers all but locked up their first TCC Classic Division title in their first year eligible. Their seventh straight win left them 6-0 in the division, two games ahead of each Pennsville and the Rams and they handed those teams both their division losses.
“It would be really cool and they very (much) deserve it,” coach Maureen Lewis said the day before of the prospect of winning the division. “Our girls work really hard so they can get it.”
PENNSVILLE 3, SALEM 0: Laura Tamberella, Toni Tobin and Polina Wright all scored goals for the Eagles (3-7). Kendall Hoyt had two assists.
This story will be updated.
