Athletics
Athletics and Physical Education

Hillers turn early lead into state title

BUDDY HURLOCK, The News Journal
Defending champs go up 5-0, never look back in win over St. Andrew's

THIS STORY REPRINTED WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE NEWS-JOURNAL

St. Andrew's had scored a collective 43 goals in its first two tournament games this week, but the Hillers held the Saints to three first-half goals and led 8-3 at halftime. Junior midfielder Lauren Ianni drew the task of marking Behle Holbrook, who led St. Andrew's in scoring in both of its tourney wins. Holbrook had one goal Friday.

"We really focused on picking up their strong players," Trivellas said of the Hillers' approach on offense and defense.

Said Applegate: "Lauren worked on disrupting Behle in St. Andrew's offense, and [with our offense] we tried to move their defense strengths away from our set offenses."

For Tower Hill, Myra Trivellas also had two goals, and she said the Hillers had to be mindful of a possible comeback. The Saints' Rachel Hickman made it 10-7 with 17:10 left in the game.

"They have girls with great stick skills," Myra Trivellas said of St. Andrew's, "... [but] you have to remind yourself. This is the state championship."

In the second half, two starting midfielders for St.

Andrew's, Alexa Caldwell and Cinda Caldwell, each picked up a second yellow card -- bringing an ejection from the game. In each case, the second yellow card was for a check to the head. Alexa Caldwell left at 16:45, and over the next 33 seconds, the Hillers' Mahi Trivellas and Reinhardt each scored to push the lead to 12-7.

"Her natural speed," Applegate said of Reinhardt, "is difficult to contain, and she knows how to utilize the space and take advantage of the defender."

Cinda Caldwell picked up her second yellow card at 13:37. The teams combined for six yellow cards, with the others against the Hillers' Myra Trivellas and Ianni. Though the St. Andrew's players could be replaced, Holbrook said losing them "made it pretty difficult." But Holbrook also pointed to the Hillers' early five-goal advantage as difficult to overcome.

"We didn't penetrate, and their defense played us well in the [opening] minutes of the game," Holbrook said.

Rachel Hickman led St. Andrew's with three goals, and Chubb scored two.

To start the game, Tower Hill was awarded automatic possession because St. Andrew's wore uniforms that did not meet regulations; the jersey numbers were not the proper size. The infraction was called against the Saints in each of their tournament games this week.

During the regular season, Tower Hill won 9-7 and 11-10 in overtime against St. Andrew's.

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