Athletics
Athletics and Physical Education
Myra in action against William Penn

Tower Hill Continues Supremacy

Buddy Hurlock
The claim to field hockey supremacy is staying at Tower Hill School.

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF THE NEWS JOURNAL

NEWARK -- The claim to field hockey supremacy is staying at Tower Hill School.

Caroline Campbell had two goals as the Hillers defeated William Penn 2-0 Saturday in the championship of the Delaware High School Field Hockey Tournament at the University of Delaware.

No. 3 seed Tower Hill (17-2-1) won the title for the 16th time, taking its second straight title and sixth in seven years. No. 5 William Penn (18-2) had won 18 straight since losing its season opener to Friends.

Both teams had a timid start. Neither earned a penalty corner for more than 21 minutes.

"We could have started off a little stronger," Campbell said.

Late in the first half, several Hillers worked themselves around the Colonials defense that had recorded 14 shutouts this season. Caitlin Van Sickle circled around the left side before pushing the ball forward to Campbell.

Campbell knocked it in from a few yards out 1:51 before halftime.

"Caitlin did a really nice job of getting it up the field, and then I was just there," Campbell said. "I just tapped it in past the goalie. When I saw Caitlin, I just knew that we had to score then. We just had to get it in."

Campbell scored again off a penalty corner early in the second half. She sent in the ball on the corner and as it developed, Meghan Lyons directed a rebound to Campbell, who made it 2-0 at 26:48.

In the second half, Tower Hill led 10-0 in shots.

"The second goal was disappointing," said William Penn senior midfielder Donna Doubet, "but still, the team, I think, we tried to hold it together. We kept spirits high and no matter what, we would fight through together. This season was the best season I've ever had. The best that I've known for a long time. Even if we did not win, we're still a family."

The Hillers' run to another state title came in a season when they fell from being among the favorites, losing twice to Independent Conference rival Friends, including in their regular-season finale.

"We had setbacks," Tower Hill senior Grier Tumas said. "We had people who doubted us. But to come out and win the title, that just puts all doubts behind us and lets us seniors, especially, go out on top.

"When we stepped on the field for our first tournament game, it just clicked and we never looked back."

Tower Hill 2, William Penn 0

William Penn 0 0-- 0

Tower Hill 1 1-- 2

First half-Campbell (Van Sickle), TH, 1:41.

Second half-Campbell, TH, 26:48.

Shots-WP 4, TH 13. Corners-WP 2, TH 4. Saves-WP 9 (McLaughlin); TH 3 (Aurigemma).

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