Kittatinny outlasts Lenape Valley in OT

STANHOPE — Kittatinny Regional High School defeated Lenape Valley Regional High School, 3-2, in varsity field hockey.
The game was continued and completed on Saturday at Lenape Valley Regional High School in Stanhope, New Jersey.
When the game was halted in September, Kittatinny was in the lead 1-0. Hailee Lolk scored the lone goal for Kittatinny. Lolk missed Saturday's game because of a dental procedure.
The remainder of the game saw both teams locked in an intense struggle.
During the second half Lindsey Bicher and Cara Lindner each put in one goal for Lenape Valley. Teammate Leah Gonzalez was credited with an assist.
The Lenape Valley Patriots led the contest 2-1 but Kittatinny Cougar's Kathryn Merrill scored the goal to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation. It was the first goal by Merrill, who is a sophomore scored in a varsity game.
Time ran out with Kittatinny and Lenape Valley tied 2-2 forcing sudden death overtime.
In the beginning of overtime Lenape Valley quickly maneuvered the ball towards Kittatinny's side of the field. But Kittatinny just as abruptly took control of the ball and move it towards Lenape Valleys goal post in a fast break.
Lenape Valley found themselves playing catch-up while Kittatinny's Francesca Perrotti was able to get a shot off in a goal attempt. Lenape Valley goalie Kaylee Gentilucci was ready and deflected the ball away from the goal post.
Lenape Valley was able to move the ball outside the circle and off to the right side of the goal post. In the ensuing battle for control of the ball Kittatinny Cougar Carlee Lehmkuhl passed the ball in a long arc towards teammate Francesca Perrotti who was wide open to the left of the goal post. Perrotti swung her stick and connected sending the ball over Lenape Valley goalie Kaylee Gentilucci's head and into the inside right corner of the net for a game winning point for Kittatinny.
The Lady Cougars celebrated in a huddle hug while the Lady Patriots slowly walked off the field with look of dejection on their faces. Both teams played hard to the very end.
After the conclusion when asked about her game winning shot and to describe it, Perrotti gave a modest reply about the dramatic moment by saying "The ball just bounced off my stick and in." Perrotti was also asked if she felt she was going to score and her reply was a giggly "No I thought I was going to swing and miss like I usually do."
Tara O'Keefe, Madison Mailloux and Carlee Lehmkuhl were credited with assists. Kittatinny goalie Rikki Pavlick accomplished 17 saves.
Kittatinny improved ot 2-9-1 and Lenape Valley fell to 2-7-2.
— Photos by George Leroy Huntere