Central Bucks West field hockey earned a spot in Saturday’s PIAA 3A state title game against Emmaus at Cumberland Valley High School (3pm). It is the program’s first trip to the state title game since 1981 when the Bucks defeated Haverford 1-0.
PIAA 3A State Tournament semifinal
#1-2 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 3, #3-1 PENN MANOR 2
On a night custom-made to stay indoors, the Bucks and Comets ignored the wind and frigid temperatures, putting on a dazzling display of field hockey for those who braved the elements. The Bucks – thanks to a pair of goals from sophomore Lucy Smith – kept their storybook season alive with a win that vaulted the team into Saturday’s PIAA 3A state final.
“This was a battle the whole time. It was a total team effort,” West coach Lori Ierubino said. “I’m at a loss for words because it was just truly a fight, and every girl pitched in.
“I thought we were flat in the first half, and I challenged them. I said, ‘This is not our style hockey, this is not how we play. We’re losing, so if you want to be afraid of losing, that’s happening, so turn it on,’ and they did. They rose to that challenge.”
And a challenge it certainly was for both sides. Penn Manor had the better of play in the first half and took a 1-0 lead into halftime, thanks to a goal by Kelby Dings during corner play.
Two minutes into the second half, Aida Ierubino evened the score with a brilliant individual effort, beating one defender after another as she carried the ball from midfield for a highlight reel goal.
The Bucks took a 2-1 lead on their first corner of the fourth quarter when Smith scored on a powerful shot from the top of the circle. Three minutes later, the Comets knotted the score when Morgan Hook scored on an impressive individual effort of her own.
With 2:58 remaining in regulation, Smith found herself with the ball at the top of the Bucks’ striking circle, and with one mighty swing scored a goal that stood as the game-winner.
“I was a little nervous,” Smith said. “Me and Aida (Ierubino) were really close together, and I kind of took the ball off her because her stick was off the ball, and I just shot it. I heard it hit the backboard, and I jumped up and ran to all my teammates.”
Smith’s second goal of the game wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t made the quick decision to take the shot.
“It’s definitely hard with a really good team to try and dribble in and get a better shot, so I was a like – ‘I just need to get it towards goal,’” Smith said. “It was so exciting. It was like – ‘This isn’t over, but we’re winning.’”
And win they did, although there were some anxious moments when – with time expired during corner play - a Comets’ shot found the cage but eventually was waved off.
For the second time in as many games, the ending was not without controversy, and before the Bucks could celebrate, they once again had to wait for the officials to give their verdict. This meeting of officials wasn’t nearly as long as Saturday’s after the Lower Dauphin game, but it was every bit as tense until the goal was waved off as dangerous, and they could celebrate.
“In my opinion, they whiffed on several, having dangerous follow-throughs – hit our sticks several times,” said West senior goalie Kendra Pitts. “In my opinion, it should have been (ruled) coming out immediately, before the shot came off.
“They ruled the last shot was the first shot on the corner and that it was too high to be the first shot, which is also true, but it should have been coming out before that.”
The delay couldn’t dampen the team’s jubilant celebration.
“It doesn’t feel real – I can’t believe we’re going to (the state championship game),” Smith said. “We are so excited.”
“I’m so proud of them, and I’m so excited for them,” coach Ierubino said. “To be coaching these girls – I love each and every one of them. I’m just so happy for them.”
Scoring summary
First quarter – No score
Second quarter
Kelby Dings (PM) assisted by Morgan Hook, 3:11
Third quarter
Aida Ierubino (CBW) 12:54
Fourth quarter
Lucy Smith (CBW) assisted by Zola Morelli, 11:49
Morgan Hook (PM) 8:47
Lucy Smith (CBW) 2:58
Getting defensive: It’s impossible to talk about the role of West’s defense in Tuesday’s win without acknowledging the strong play in goal of Kendra Pitts, who once again was brilliant.
“The power behind her saves – it’s one thing to make a save,” coach Lori Ierubino said. “But when that ball drops right in front, especially to that team because they were fast and they were on the pads – to make the save and get it out of the circle so they can’t get those second shots – that’s just high level goalkeeping.”
Pitts – who finished with double-digit saves - has earned the respect of the defense in front of her.
“She’s amazing,” junior defender Heidi Schoenleber said. “If we make mistakes, she’s always there to save us, and I honestly don’t know what we’d do without her.
“She’s a great leader on the field and she tells us where to go, she helps us mark.”
Equally impressive has been the defense in front Pitts.
“We’re all good friends in school – we get along really well,” Schoenleber said of the key to the unit’s success. “We stick through it with each other.”
An angel on their shoulder: Zoe Morelli wasn’t in the stands at CB West’s state semifinal game against Penn Manor at Downingtown West Tuesday night, but make no mistake about it – her presence was felt.
“I know she’s just beaming with joy right now – it’s so exciting,” junior Zola Morelli said of her mother, who lost her battle with cancer in October of 2024.
Zoe Morelli – herself an All-American field hockey player – was one of Bucks’ most ardent fans. Her initials are on the pink uniforms that originally were intended to be worn in October (Breast Care Awareness Month) but have been a staple during the Bucks’ magical postseason run that has extended well into November.
The uniforms were purchased with contributions made in Zoe’s memory that were split between her son Vance’s football team at West and Zola’s field hockey team.
“They’re special,” Morelli said of the uniforms. “I think they’ve helped us go a long way, knowing that her special touch is playing with us.
“You can definitely feel her presence with us. It’s amazing.”
And the Bucks’ journey isn’t over. They will play Emmaus for a state title on Saturday…wearing their pink uniforms.
“This is incredible,” Morelli said. “To make it this far (to the state semifinals) two years in a row – that’s something that’s very, very hard to do, so to finally make that final step to the state championship, that’s just amazing.”
Quite a journey: Seniors Aida Ierubino, Kendra Pitts and Eve Damsker have been in the Bucks’ starting lineup since they stepped onto the field as freshmen. They made an immediate impact, and three years later on a frigid Tuesday night, they celebrated their team reaching the season’s final game – the state title game.
“It feels amazing,” Damsker said. “It just a rush of excitement and happiness because our team has worked so hard to get to this point. This is what we’ve been working for the whole season, our whole careers.
“Finally, senior year getting to the state championship is really all we’ve been looking forward to. We’re ready to play our butts off and win the game.”
“It’s just amazing,” Ierubino said. “Especially our freshman year coming in – West never had a reputation of getting to playoffs, let alone states. Getting to the first round of states freshman year and now going to the state championship our senior year, it’s just so surreal.
“It’s also really bittersweet to know that our last game is the last (high school) game you will ever be in.”
“It’s incredible,” Pitts said. “It’s really crazy coming from barely squeaking into states both last year and our freshman year (as the seventh and final seed from District 1 3A) to be going to the state final is crazy.”
The Bucks will add to their remarkable legacy Saturday when they face an Emmaus team with 15 state titles to its credit.
“I’m so proud of us and how far we’ve come,” Ierubino said. “It’s so surreal. This is the farthest we could come in the PIAA, and that was a goal for us. The fact that we did it is so amazing, and regardless what happens Saturday – obviously, we want to win, but regardless what happens, I’m so proud of us for coming this far.”
Up next: Central Bucks West will face District 11 champion Emmaus at Cumberland Valley High School on Saturday (3pm).
Central Bucks West 0-0-1-2 3
Penn Manor 0-1-0-1 2
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