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NORTH ALLEGHENY VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY

*2003 WPIAL CHAMPIONS*

*SECTION CHAMPIONS*

Photo by Al Durick, Portraits Plus Studio

LADY TIGERS DOMINATE ALL-STAR TEAMS

Coach Sue Phillips' WPIAL Champions placed eight players on the WPIAL All-Star teams as announced by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Sunday.  Four NA players were named to the first team.  Junior Lauren Ertzberger, senior Jessie Nellis, junior Sandy Fulkerson, and junior Katie Schwartz received first-team honors.

Selected to the second team were junior Maddie Nestor, junior Laura Perry, senior Maureen McGee and senior Amanda Howard.  A complete listing of the all-star squads follows:

WPIAL ALL-STAR TEAMS
Selected by the Coaches

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WILSON EDGES LADY TIGERS, 2-1, ON PENALTY STROKES

by Jimmy Dunn

When Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier for the heavyweight boxing championship, the match was advertised at the "Thrilla in Manilla".  After the game between NA and Wilson, fans from both sides could refer to this first round PIAA game as almost having "heart failure in Fox Chapel".  That's how much excitement this match up generated.  

Wilson, from West Lawn, came into the contest as the fifth-place team from District 3, a hotbed of field hockey in eastern Pennsylvania.  Wilson entered the game with a record of 18-4 and were the slickest passing team the Lady Tigers have faced this season.  Using between-the-legs passes and behind-the-back moves, they kept the pressure on NA throughout the first half.  The Bulldogs registered a goal at 12:18 and had four shots on goal as opposed to one for NA.  Wilson led, 1-0, at the intermission.

Midway through the second half, the Lady Tigers were still down, 1-0, when they began their comeback.  It culminated when junior Maddie Nestor sent a rocket of a shot into Wilson's cage after a penalty corner with 10:29 remaining to tie the score at 1-1.  Neither team could score after that, and regulation time ended with the score still tied at 1-1.

Both teams, playing with 7 players each, went into a ten-minute overtime period.  NA had an opportunity but couldn't cash in.  A second overtime with the same format ended in a stalemate.  The third overtime of five minutes took both teams into uncharted waters.  Neither had experienced this previously.  Still no score.  A fourth five minute overtime ended 90 minutes of play with the scoreboard still showing 1-1.

That's when the tension was really ratcheted up.  Each squad got five penalty strokes.  Fox Chapel Stadium was quiet as an empty church before each attempt.  NA went first and Nestor scored.  Wilson answered with a shot from Alexandria Rodriguez.  Junior Lauren Ertzberger, shooting second, hit the left post.  Megan Davidson of Wilson went high over senior goalie Crystal Ptacek's left shoulder scored to make it 2-1.  Junior Sandy Fulkerson and senior Maureen McGee had their shots blocked.  Brianne Miller, Wilson's leading scorer, then lifted another shot into NA's netting giving the Bulldogs the win.

The contest was one of the most exciting and memorable field hockey games ever played in western Pennsylvania.  Granted, it was a disappointing ending to an otherwise successful season for the Lady Tigers.  NA posted a 15-2-4 record, was unbeaten in league play, and won another WPIAL championship.  Throughout the year, the Lady Tigers demonstrated skill, sportsmanship and teamwork, qualities that made everyone associated with them proud.

GAME SUMMARY
WILSON - 2  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

2003 PIAA AAA GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP

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LADY TIGERS SHUT OUT STATE COLLEGE, 2-0, IN PIAA PLAYOFFS

by Jimmy Dunn

The Lady Tigers had their paws full on Thursday night.  In a state preliminary playoff round game played at Fox Chapel, they shut out the Little Lions from State College, 2-0.  The Lions started off strong, and their aggressive play kept the ball in Tiger country for the first five minutes of the contest.  Then NA settled down and began forcing the ball into the Lions' territory.  Credit both goaltenders with solid play in the final minutes of the first half resulting in a 0-0 stalemate at the intermission.

One minute and 20 seconds after the break, senior Jess Nellis drilled a shot into the Lions' cage, putting NA up 1-0.  the hard working senior co-captain got an insurance goal, her second of the game and 14th of the season, with 9:17 left in the game to guarantee victory.  Midway through the season, the Tigers did not allow a shot on goal in three games.  That was not the case against a formidable opponent this time.  The defense, especially senior goalie Crystal Ptacek who blocked seven shots, really had to work to attain this hard fought win.

The Tigers, who won the playoff game between District 6 and 7, now await their next opponent in the PIAA tournament.  NA will play the fifth place team from District 3 on Tuesday, November 4, at Fox Chapel High School.  Game time is set for 4:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2  STATE COLLEGE - 0

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

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SHADY SIDE FALLS TO NA, 2-0, IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE

by Jimmy Dunn

The Lady Tigers splashed their way to a 2-0 victory over Shady Side Academy at Shady Side on Tuesday afternoon.  Both teams could have played in wet suits.  The field was not only soggy, it was punctuated by puddles.  Junior Lauren Ertzberger's shot at 7:10 of the first half bounded off the goalie's pads and rebounded right back to Lauren, who didn't miss the second opportunity.  That goal, her 14th of the season, put NA ahead, 1-0.  The Lady Tigers put seven shots on goal in the first half against only two for Shady Side.

The Lady Tiger offense really peppered Shady Side's cage in the second half, registering 11 shots while allowing only two.  Finally, after a lot of swinging and whacking in front of the Shady Side goal, senior Amanda Howard poked the ball in with 42 seconds left on the clock, giving NA a 2-0 shutout.  It was Amanda's fifth goal of the season.

The win boosted NA's final regular season record to 14-1-4.  Two impressive stats point to the consistency of this year's squad.  They outscored their opponents 58 to 10 and along the way posted ten shutouts.  The Lady Tigers will play State College in the preliminary round of the PIAA Championships tomorrow night at 6:00 pm at Fox Chapel.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2  SHADY SIDE ACADEMY - 0

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

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LADY TIGERS EDGE SEWICKLEY ACADEMY, 2-1

by Jimmy Dunn

Whether the Lady Tigers play under late day October sun, as they did on Friday, or under the lights, they continue their winning ways.  Visiting Sewickley Academy, even with two boys on their club, lost to a determined Tiger team, 2-1, in Friday's twilight.

NA's first goal occurred after a penalty corner.  Junior Maddie Nestor unleashed a shot through traffic from the top of the circle.  Senior Amanda Howard somehow got a stick on it and deflected the ball into the Sewickley cage at 25:43 of the first half.  Later in the half, a spirited scrum took place in front of the Sewickley goal.  In an attempt to prevent the score, the Panther goalie sat on the ball.  That's a no-no in field hockey, and it resulted in a penalty stroke for NA.  Nestor, the scrappy junior midfielder, lined up ten yards out and in front of the Sewickley netminder.  The whistle blew and Nestor drilled a shot over the opposing goalie's left shoulder to put NA ahead, 2-0, at 15:01.  It was the second penalty stroke that Nestor converted this year.  NA had five shots on goal in the half while Sewickley had none.

The teams played evenly through most of the second half, but a turnover by the Lady Tigers allowed two Sewickley attackers to move in alone on unprotected junior goaltender Meghan Coleman.  On a give-and-go. Sewickley's Mary Harbest scored with 6:16 left in the contest.  Ironically, it was the Panthers' first and only shot on goal during the game.

The Lady Tigers, who have claimed their sixth consecutive WPIAL Sectional Championship, will end their regular season against Shady Side Academy tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 pm.  The Tigers extended their overall record to 14-1-3, with a 12-0 record in WPIAL AAA play.  NA has been undefeated in league play for four consecutive years.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2  SEWICKLEY ACADEMY - 1

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

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LADY TIGERS BEAT MT. LEBANON, 2-0, TO TAKE SECTION TITLE

by Jimmy Dunn

A week ago, the Mt. Lebanon Lady Blue Devils visited NA to play the Lady Tigers.  NA prevailed, winning 3-1.  Last night, NA traveled south to face the Lady Blue Devils on their home turf.  The outcome of the contest wasn't assured until senior Jess Nellis scored at the 23 minute mark of the second half on an assist from senior Amanda Howard.

The NA sharp shooter, junior Lauren Ertzberger, opened the scoring for the Lady Tigers when she registered her 12th goal of the season at 19:49 of the first half.  Nellis and Howard were credited with assists.  Again, NA's tenacious defense played tough in front of senior goalie Crystal Ptacek.  They allowed only 2 shots on goal, while firing 8 at Mt. Lebo's cage.

To emphasize the balance on this year's club, goals for and goals against presents a significant statistic.  With two games left in the regular season, the Lady Tigers have scored 50 goals, while limiting their opponents to only 8.  Tonight's victory secured the WPIAL AAA Sectional Championship for the Lady Tigers with an 11-0 WPIAL record and a 12-1-4 mark overall.

The Lady Tigers will host Sewickley Academy today at Newman Stadium with game time set for 5:00 pm.  NA will conclude their regular season with a trip to Shady Side Academy on Tuesday afternoon for a 3:30 pm contest.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2  MT. LEBANON - 0

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

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FOX CHAPEL FALLS TO LADY TIGERS, 3-0

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

The Lady Tigers dominated Fox Chapel at Newman Stadium on Tuesday night as they defeated the Foxes, 3-0.  Senior Amanda Howard scored just 1:10 into the game, and senior Jess Nellis and junior Lauren Ertzberger added goals to keep NA undefeated against WPIAL competition.  The Lady Tigers kept the ball in the Fox Chapel end of the field for most of the cold, rainy night.

With the game just under way, Nellis broke through the Fox Chapel defense and was tripped just inside the striking circle.  Howard, who was following the play, took the ball and beat FC goalie Sarah Carey to give NA a 1-0 lead.  It would be all the Lady Tigers would need for the victory. 

The Lady Tigers kept pressure on the Fox Chapel goal for the remainder of the first half but were unable to score again.  With 20:23 left, senior back Kathy Garman drove the ball toward the goal where it deflected off several players.  The ball rolled along the goal line before the Foxes could finally clear it.  Just thirty seconds later, junior Carly Riggin just missed making it 2-0 when her shot went wide.  

With 12:10 remaining in the half, junior MF Maddie Nestor had her shot deflected over the goal on a penalty corner.  The chances kept coming with Nellis shooting wide at the 11:21 mark.  With 3:36 on the clock, Ertzberger broke free in the circle, but her shot went wide.  Finally, in the last minute, junior Jean Walton had a great opportunity but could not get her stick on the ball just to the left of the Fox Chapel net.  Although NA outshot Fox Chapel, 7-0, the Lady Tigers held just a 1-0 lead at the intermission.

In the second half, the Lady Tigers took up where they left off.  Just 4:10 into the half, Howard had another great chance, but her tip attempt went wide.  Two and a half minutes later, Nellis had her shot roll wide left.  At the 21:55 mark, Nellis finally converted after Garman put the ball into the circle.  After a lot of frustration, NA pushed the lead to 2-0.  Nellis had another opportunity at the 7:45 mark, but, as was the case for most of the evening, the Tiger shot went wide.  

Ertzberger put the finishing touch on the scoring when she poked in her own rebound with just 5:10 left in the game.  The NA defense took care of the rest as they had done for the entire game.  For the third time in five games, the Lady Tigers kept the opponents from taking a shot.  The win marked the ninth shutout for senior goalie Crystal Ptacek and the NA defense.  Opponents have tallied only eight goals all season against the Tigers.

For her efforts, senior Jess Nellis was named the Player of the Game by the North Allegheny Sports Network.  The Lady Tigers will be back in action again tomorrow night when they travel to Mt. Lebanon for a crucial contest.  NA downed Lebo, 3-1, last week at Newman Stadium.  On Friday, Sewickley Academy will be at Newman Stadium for a 5:00 pm contest, the last regular season home game.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  FOX CHAPEL - 0

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

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LADY TIGERS DOWN LEBO, 3-1, IN WPIAL SHOWDOWN

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

Coach Sue Phillips' Lady Tigers came through with a 3-1 victory over Mt. Lebanon at Newman Stadium on Wednesday night to maintain their position at the top of the WPIAL standings.  Seniors Jess Nellis and Maddie Nestor, along with junior Laura Peery, scored for NA as all the scoring took place in the first half.

The Lady Tigers pressured Mt. Lebanon from the opening whistle.  Junior Abby Clark had two chances in the early going.  With 27:39 left, her shot was blocked by the Blue Devil defense.  A little over a minute later, Mt. Lebanon junior goalie Kathryn McCaffrey came out of the net, but Clark's shot at the open goal was blocked.  With 21:50 remaining, Nellis broke in from the right side and slammed a shot off McCaffrey into the net to give NA a 1-0 advantage.

At the 19:50 mark, senior Amanda Howard forced McCaffrey to make a great save to keep the lead to one.  Immediately after the save, NA was awarded three consecutive penalty corners.  On the third attempt, Nestor's strong shot, off a stick stop by junior Sandy Fulkerson, deflected off a Lebo player into the goal giving NA a 2-0 advantage.  Mt. Lebanon came back to cut the lead in half with 7:43 left on the first half clock.  A long pass from a far side hit in rolled right to junior forward Katie Donnelly, who spun and drove the ball past NA senior goalie Crystal Ptacek.  

The Lady Tigers came right back, however, to match the Lebo goal.  Once again on a penalty corner, Nestor got off a strong shot that was blocked by McCaffrey and the Mt. Lebanon defense.  Peery was right there to poke in the rebound, and the Lady Tigers were able to take a 3-1 lead to the intermission.

In the second half, the Tiger defense was able to keep Mt. Lebanon off the board.  The Blue Devils mounted a furious rally in their early minutes of the half.  Five straight penalty corners were taken by Lebo, but the NA defense stood tall.  Coming up big in the back for the Lady Tigers were senior Kathy Garman, Fulkerson, and senior Maureen McGee in support of Ptacek, who would not allow Lebo to score.  Ptacek was forced to make another good save moments later when junior Christine Hammer broke open down the right side with 18:16 left.

After the early offense by Lebo, the Lady Tigers once again took control of the game.  It was a team victory for the Lady Tigers as they improved their record against WPIAL teams to 9-0, their overall mark to 11-1-3.  For her overall efforts, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Maddie Nestor as the Player of the Game.  

The Lady Tigers will be home again next Tuesday night when they host the Fox Chapel Foxes.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning at 7:30 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  MT. LEBANON - 1

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

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ERTZBERGER SCORES TWICE TO LEAD NA OVER UPPER ST. CLAIR, 2-0

Junior Lauren Ertzberger scored a pair of goals to lead the Lady Tigers to a 2-0 victory at Upper St. Clair on Monday evening.  The win kept NA undefeated against WPIAL teams improving their record to 8-0.  The overall record stands at 10-1-3.

With the win, the Lady Tigers posted their fourth consecutive shutout.  In two of those wins, the tenacious defense did not allow a shot on goal.

The Lady Tigers will host Mt. Lebanon tonight in an important contest in the WPIAL.  Game time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 7:15 pm.

(Thanks to Jimmy Dunn for information in this report!)

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LADY TIGERS OVERPOWER AQUINAS ACADEMY

The Lady Tiger offense continued to display their firepower with a 9-0 win over Aquinas Academy.  They simply overpowered the Hampton team with a nine-goal outburst, the team's highest of the season. 

In the mismatch, senior Jess Nellis scored twice, as did junior Jean Walton.  Senior Laura Nugent, junior Laura Peery, senior Erica Ruddy, and juniors Maddie Nestor and Lauren Ertzberger scored single tallies.

The win improved the NA record to 8-0 against WPIAL competition and 10-1-3 overall.

(Thanks to Jimmy Dunn for information in this report!)

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ERTZBERGER'S HAT TRICK LEADS LADY TIGERS OVER WOODLAND HILLS, 5-0

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

Junior Lauren Ertzberger scored a trio of goals as the Lady Tigers dominated Woodland Hills, 5-0, at Newman Stadium on Wednesday night.  Senior Carley Riggin and Erika Riggin each scored for NA.  The Tiger defense was outstanding throughout the game, particularly at midfield where junior Maddie Nestor was outstanding.  

In the first half, the Lady Tigers had a number of opportunities before they scored.  Senior forward Jessie Nellis had a great chance with 14:25 remaining but was unable to get off a good shot.  Ruddy did get off a good shot at the 10:52 mark but WH junior goalie Lauren Heldingfelder made the save.  The Tigers finally broke through with 6:47 left when Ertzberger tallied her first goal.  There was no further scoring and the teams went to the intermission with the Lady Tigers holding a 1-0 advantage.

In the early part of the second half, it was more of the same as NA continue to pressure the Wolverines.  Riggin made it 2-0 on a great pass from Nestor at the 19:35 mark.  Under two minutes later, junior Laura Peery broke in from the left side but Heldingfelder was again able to make a good save.  Nestor had a good chance with 14:42 left, but her shot went wide. 

The Lady Tigers finally broke the game open with a flurry of goals in the last eight minutes.  Ertzberger scored on a penalty stroke to make it 3-0 at the 8:11 mark.  Just 1:11 later, Ertzberger was able to poke in a rebound as NA stormed the WH goal.  Ruddy got the final goal with a good shot just to the right of the Wolverine cage.

The Tiger dominance was reflected in the penalty corners awarded.  NA was given fourteen penalty corners while Woodland Hills had none.  Senior goalie Crystal Ptacek was in goal for the shutout although the defense made it relative easy.

The win improved the NA record to 9-1-3 overall, 7-0 against WPIAL competition.  Woodland Hills fell to 3-7.  The Lady Tigers will be back in action again on Monday when they travel to Upper St. Clair.  Game time is set for 7:30 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5   WOODLAND HILLS - 0

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

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LADY TIGERS BLANK ELLIS, 2-0

The Lady Tigers defeated Ellis, 2-0, on Tuesday night at Newman Stadium.  NA dominated the game, piling up seventeen shots on goal opposed to seven for Ellis.  In the battle of the Tigers, senior goalie Crystal Ptacek played the first half, stopping two offensive drives into the circle.  Junior Meghan Coleman stepped into the net during the second half to stop five shots by Ellis.

The Tigers scored both goals during the first half.  Senior Amanda Howard played a big part in the first goal.  Howard deflected the ball off the Ellis goalie pads right to senior Jess Nellis who swept the ball into the goal to give NA the 1-0 advantage.  Later in the half, junior Laura Peery scored on a left post side deflection on a pass from the opposite side of the circle by senior Erika Ruddy.

The win was the fifth straight without a loss against WPIAL teams.  On Tueday, the Lady Tigers will travel to Aquinas Academy for a 4:15 pm contest.  On Wednesday night, it will be Senior Night at Newman Stadium as NA hosts Woodland Hills.  Senior Night ceremonies begin at 6:30 pm with game time at 7:15 pm.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 7:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2  ELLIS SCHOOL - 0

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

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LADY TIGERS DOWN FOXES, 4-1

The Lady Tigers returned to WPIAL competition on Tuesday afternoon with a 4-1 victory at Fox Chapel.  Field conditions at Fox Chapel presented a challenge for NA, and the Tigers led by only 1-0 at halftime.  The Lady Tiger goal came late in the first half when junior Carley Riggin picked up a rebound and passed to senior Jess Nellis who scored.

In the second half, Coach Sue Phillips changed the game strategy, and it paid off in three goals.  After Fox Chapel had tied the game, the Lady Tigers struck for what would be the winning goal.  Senior Amanda Howard sent a long pass to the stick of junior midfielder Kaitlyn Cotter who drove it in the Foxes' net.  Nellis added an unassisted goal for her second of the game, and junior Maddie Nestor picked up the final tally of the game on a penalty stroke with a minute remaining in the game.

Senior goalie Crystal Ptacek, aided by good defensive play by the Tigers, held the Foxes to just one goal on three shots.  The "Chicks with Sticks" will be back in action again tomorrow night when they entertain Ellis at Newman Stadium.  Game time is set for 7:30 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4  FOX CHAPEL - 1

INDIVIDUAL SCORING 

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WPIAL FIELD HOCKEY - 2003

The Lady Tigers will compete again in Class AAA, along with four other teams.  Two section plaques will be awarded, one for the AAA winner and one to the AA winner.  Those winners will be the teams who have the best record against all schools in their classification.  Ties in section record will be broken by head-to-head competition.  If the tie is not broken in head-to-head, the following point system will be applied to games in similar classification:

     1.  All victories will earn two points.
     2.  All ties will earn one point.
     3.  The team with the greatest number of points will be the champion.

If a tie still persists, the best overall section record (against both classifications) will prevail.  If the tie still cannot be broken, a playoff game will be conducted to determine the champion and entry into the PIAA championships.

Duration of the game shall be a maximum of sixty minutes played in two equal halves.  All regular season games that end in a tie will enter a sudden victory -- reduced player -- tie-breaking procedure not to exceed ten minutes with the teams not changing goals to begin the period.  A coin toss will determine which team will take possession of the ball.  If the score remains tied at the completion of the overtime period, the game will be entered into the record as a tie.

Any questions or comments should be directed to Athletic Director Bob Bozzuto at:  bbozzuto@northallegheny.org