Fillmyer’s OT goal keeps Florence hockey perfect

BY: Sean Moylan Sports Writer
    After inserting the ball on a penalty corner, Dezarae Fillmyer dashed toward where all the action was and got there just in time to score the game-winning goal in the Florence Township Memorial High girls’ varsity field hockey squad’s 3-2 overtime victory at Palmyra last Friday.
    “It was off a scramble in front of the cage,” said Florence head varsity field hockey coach Gina Smith of Fillymer’s tally, which was assisted by Katie Schreck with just 2:32 remaining in overtime. “It was so important for us to win that game.”
    Smith did not want her team to have a bad loss on its record, especially since Florence had played so well in the first half.
    Sarah Muchowski got Florence on the board first when she converted a first-half pass by Schreck into a goal. That goal also came off a corner, which shouldn’t seem too strange considering the Flashes compiled nine corners to just four by their opponents.
    However, Florence’s second goal of the first half came on an excellent individual effort by Brittany Hiros, who worked her magic after receiving a solid pass by teammate Emily Million, a stellar offensive player who was concentrating more on defense this past week.
    “Brittany Hiros just dribbled it from the 25-yard line and she took a crack at the goal. It was a hard shot!,” said an impressed Smith, whose team held a 2-1 lead until Palmyra’s Amber Ward evened it up at 2-2 with 23:17 remaining in the second half.
    Florence probably should have won in regulation, but Palmyra goalie Julie Costello stood on her head and stopped 22 of the Flashes’ 25 shots on goal. Meanwhile, Florence goalie Katie Dmitruck was solid and stopped seven of nine shots to record her fourth straight victory of the season.
    “Dmitruck is a real smart goalkeeper and she’s technically sound and our kids are not coming off their marks to clear it out for her,” said Smith, who counts on Dmitruck to do more things than most high school goalies are capable of doing.
    On September 17, Florence traveled to Burlington City and thumped the Blue Devils, 3-0. Unfortunately it was a costly victory as midfielder Menissa Blackwell suffered what could end up being a season-ending injury.
    “Menissa Blackwell was having a great year but she was playing on a torn ACL already which she got during last year’s basketball season. And she re-injured it against City” said Smith, who is now in the process of teaching Erin “Nails” Sweeney how to play Blackwell’s vacated position.
    A couple of years ago Sweeney learned to play center for the Flashes’ varsity basketball squad because her team needed a center. And the thing is she’s only about 5’ 5”. She’ll do whatever is necessary to win so she’s a good choice to take over for Blackwell.
    “Erin Sweeney is such a good athlete and she’s very coachable,” said Smith, whose club had four off days following Friday’s game versus Palmyra. “It was a blessing in disguise. We needed these off days to teach Sweeney the position.”
    Other than Blackwell’s injury, the Burlington City game turned out to be a very positive experience for the Flashes as Muchowski showed off her great shooting skills and scored a pair of goals in the last 10 minutes of the first half.
    “Muchowski plays right wing. We basically try to keep the ball on the right because of her,” said Smith, who actually loves the way all of her offensive players are performing. “It’s a real balanced team. We finally have a good offense. Everyone contributes evenly.”
    Kristen Tully assisted on the first Muchowski goal while Schreck, who is turning into an assists machine, set up Muchowski’s second tally. Then in the second half, Tully stroked in an insurance goal which came off of a Hiros pass.
    Smith was also pleased with the work of defenders Erin Shockhaus (a left back), Molly Fitzpatrick (center back) and Megan Weiser (left back) as they slowed down Palmyra’s speedy attackers, especially Yolanda Coffee.
    Dmitruck earned the shutout by making four saves. Florence took 14 shots on goal as a team.
    Smith is not afraid to play young players just as long as they’re good and do what they are suppose to do.
    “I have the best 11 players out there. I don’t look at their grades or anything,” said Smith, who makes very few substitutions in close games.
    The team and Smith all really love their new sod field behind the high school and they can’t wait to play more home games.
    Florence (4-0) was scheduled at New Egypt yesterday (Wednesday). Florence is scheduled to host Maple Shade on Friday.