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Sports

Field Hockey Defeats Cranford

Summit wins 1-0.

The Summit High School field hockey team brought home yet another victory.  The Hilltoppers beat Cranford 1-0 yesterday in Cranford.

Held scoreless in the first half, Summit was unable to make a goal. Although, they did get seven penalty corners and had a few very nice shots.  The Hilltoppers did not seem to be completely focused and in the right mindset, but that would soon change.

Cranford was able to get the ball into the circle, although they were not successful in converting these opportunities into goals. The Cougars made very few attempts at the goal and none of the attempts had the desired outcome. They did a good job keeping Summit's offense at bay, intercepting passes and switching fields.

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As halftime came, so did the rain. Surprisingly, the game picked up pace as the rain got heavier and the air got colder.  Summit was determined to get the better of Cranford and the inclement weather. 

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, the Hilltoppers began a beautiful passing game. The ball was ushered from junior Caroline Cordrey to senior Maggie Arms just past the 50-yard line.  Arms then sent the ball to fellow senior, Faith Tully, who sent it right back only to receive it yet again. Tully now in possession of the ball for the second time, nearing Cranford's cage, passed the ball to junior, Katie Birle, who was waiting in the circle. Birle made a beautiful shot, giving way to the only goal of the game. 

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Eleven minutes after Summit's goal, Cranford had possession of the ball and was edging toward a possible score for them. After much excitement very close to the cage, a penalty stroke was called.  Junior goal keeper, Grace Berkery spread her arms wide in anticipation of the ball. She moved correctly the bottom left corner of the goal just after the stroke was taken by a Cranford player.  Berkery saved the shot beautifully. 

After several corners for both sides and a significant amount of changing directions, as well as possession, the ball returned to the Summit circle right before Berkery's feet.  A shot was taken by a Cranford player but deflected by Summit senior, Katie Stuke.  The defensive save was right on the goal line and very much needed. 

"The whole team did a great job, everyone was helping out and doing their job," Berkery said. "The defensive side did really well.Katie played a crucial part."

This was Berkery's sixth shutout of the season. 

The game ended after two more penalty corners for each team. As Cranford was unable to make a goal, the final score was 1-0 Summit.  

Summit will play West Essex tomorrow at 4 p.m. on the Upper High School turf. This will be a very tough and exciting game against a notoriously competitive team.

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