WANTAGE -- There really were no losers in the sixth annual Play for Pink field hockey game.
Host High Point and Kittatinny played to a 0-0 tie in an independent clash on Friday night that was more about raising money for a worthy cause -- the fight against cancer -- than the final numbers on the scoreboard.
"It was a really good game and a hard-fought battle," said High Point senior forward Carly Satter, who leads the team with 14 assists and was held without a goal or an assist for just the third time this season. "No one is happy with the outcome, High Point or Kittatinny players. But charity is what counts tonight. I love these [charity] games, they're exciting and fun. I look forward to playing these more than any other. It's all about raising money and trying to find a cure."
The cause is especially near and dear to 'Cats coach Bev Keur, a cancer survivor, who has done a tremendous job organizing this event. Well before this game is played each year, Keur and her players, along with the opponent, are preparing and also raising money through car washes and bake sales. For about 10 hours on Friday, the 'Cats were prepping for that night's game.
"We had a tremendous two weeks [of preparation]" said Keur, whose team had won seven in a row since a 3-3 tie with Pingry on Sept. 21. "It's a tremendous community effort -- both High Point and Kittatinny. I'm very pleased with with the effort everyone put into this game."
Since this was an independent contest and High Point had a scheduled game against Warren Hills on Saturday in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament quarterfinals, there was no overtime.
High Point (11-0-2), ranked No. 5 in the Open Mike area, entered this one as a heavy favorite but was unable to get any rhythm going offensively after two penalty corners in the first 10 minutes of play. The 'Cats had outscored their opponents, 45-6, previously, but the bumpy conditions on the school's football field and a tough Kittatinny defense made life tough for forwards Alexis Ambrosino (13 goals) and Brittany DeLima (14 goals) and the rest of the attack.
Kittatinny (5-5-3), which has enjoyed a bounce-back season under first-year coach Emily Murray, controlled most of this game starting at about the midway mark in the first half. The Cougars, who have gone 0-2-2 since a 1-0 win over Wallkill Valley on Oct. 2 that capped a four-game win streak, have struggled offensively, coming in with a total of eight goals in its previous 12 games.
But the defense, led by junior back Dana Yanvary and senior Carly Kandell, was up to the task, holding High Point to a season-low two shots on goal and without a goal for the first time.
"The girls have really come together," said Murray, who previously served as the JV coach at her alma mater in Mountain Lakes. "I keep telling them that basic hockey, not flashy reverse-stick passes, wins games. Play as a team and because you love the game. We have no big goal scorers. The girls were excited after. I had no idea that High Point was undefeated."
After weathering High Point's early corners, Kittatinny got its first opportunity with 18 minutes left in the first half. Senior right forward Brianna McNeel was able to get off one of the team's two shots on goal and another sailed wide left of the cage on the Cougars' second corner with 8:10 left before halftime.
"I thought that was the best game that Brianna McNeel has played all season with her dodges and passes," Murray said.
Kittatinny had three more chances on corners in the final seven minutes, but was unable to get off a shot against a High Point defense, led by backs Michaela O'Hern, Kristen English, Caitlin Slate and Annelise Malgieri and sweeper Lexa Sabo.
"I thought both teams played hard with a lot of intensity," Keur said. "We switched our lineup with Sabo at sweeper and moving Caitlin Slate up to back. Autumn [Smith] stepped up nicely as our goalie."
But as Satter so eloquently put it, the night was all about charity. Kerr said last year's game, a 1-0 loss to Wallkill Valley, raised about $14,000. This night saw both teams sporting pink uniforms with a sea of pink and white balloons adorning the entrances and the stands. A worthy effort from both teams for a worthy cause. Winners all around for sure.
Kittatinny (5-5-3) 0 0 -- 0
High Point (11-0-2) 0 0 -- 0
Shots -- Kittatinny 2; High Point 2.
Saves -- Julia Pevarnik 1, Dana Yanvary 1 (goal line) (K); Autumn Smith 2 (HP).
Penalty corners -- Kittatinny 5; High Point 2.
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