Collingswood Field Hockey Blanks Gateway

's field hockey team continued its winning streak this Tuesday, using a penalty stroke and two hard-fought goals to conquer Gateway High School 3-0.

With the win, coach Val Dayton's team improved to 13-2 on the season.

Panthers spent almost the entire first half controlling tempo and time of possession Tuesday, and without their usual amount of scoring opportunities, Collingswood lit the scoreboard twice in the period's final three minutes.

A a penalty stroke, earned by the Panthers with 2:11 left in the first, was calmly converted by Collingswood senior Ellie O’Neill.

“When we had the stroke at Haddon Heights, which Melissa (Cunningham) took, Ellie was jumping up and down, wanting to take the shot,” Dayton said. “After that game, she asked, ‘Please, can I take the next one?’ I told her I hadn’t seen her stroke in a while, and she swore to me it (had gotten) better.

“I took a chance and let her take it. But I told her, ‘Don’t make me regret this,’” Dayton joked.

Panthers then received the closest possible thing to a buzzer-beater, as Emily Madden scored with just three seconds left.

“I think it was huge,” Dayton said of the goal. “We talked about getting an early lead. We pressured, but we didn’t finish. Ellie’s stroke played a big part in getting some momentum. And (Emily's contribution) right before the half—that was huge. I think we felt a lot more comfortable and a lot more confident in the second half.”

The second half gave way to a frantic rally by Gateway, but Panthers' defense held strong. Gateway was only able to get two shots away—neither doing any damage—with Panthers senior goalie Allie Hawco saving each attempt.

But Collingswood’s offense couldn't get anything going—until senior Krystal Valianti moved off a pass from Molly O’Neill, securing a 3-0 game with just 10 minutes remaining.

“We have been stressing early and often,” Dayton said. “It didn’t happen as much as it would've liked. I don’t want us to get comfortable with a 2-goal lead.

“I thought we played nicely, though,” noted the coach. “Ashley Walters moved over to the left side and did a great job there. Alyssa Brandley has gone from subbing-in here and there to playing the whole game. Ellie, Ashley and Alyssa really stepped up today. And Shauna (LaMaina) is a brick wall back there, as centerback. Nothing gets by her.”

Panthers wrap-up their week on Thursday, with a home game against Haddon Township High School. Thursday's contest also marks Senior Day for veteran members of the team.