VIDEO, PHOTOS: Boal's flick of the wrists gives Middle dramatic victory over LCM

Posted: September 9th 2024

Middle Township's Gwen Boal, who scored both goals in her team's win, advances through the midfield as Lower Cape May's Maddy Nuttal gives chase

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – A quick flick of the wrists by Gwen Boal sent the members of the Middle Township High School field hockey team into a frenzy Monday afternoon.

Boal’s flick from close range sailed over Lower Cape May goalkeeper Cheyenne Hemby’s left shoulder and into the top of the cage early into overtime to give the Lady Panthers a dramatic 2-1 victory over their rival.

“Gwen is a crunch player,” Middle coach Janina Perna said. “She’s someone we want to have the ball in crunch time because she’s always composed and she’s experienced and she has good stick skills. She tends not to panic. She was the perfect person to have the ball there for us.”

Boal’s tally came at the end of a corner chance. Abbey Cappelletti’s insert was initially cleared away by Lower Cape May’s defense, but Layla Hagan rescued the chance by first chipping the ball back toward danger before she moved the ball into the circle. Her shot was saved by Hemby but the rebound fell to Boal, who calmly lifted the ball into the cage.

“Their goalie was good on her feet,” Boal said. “She saved a couple of our shots that went toward her feet. I just hoped for the best with lifting it and it worked.”

Middle’s victory came in the first game between the two rivals since the 2021 season, when Lower Cape May won a pair of one-goal decisions.

“We hadn’t played them in a while,” Perna said. “This was big for our seniors because they’ve never beaten them before.”

Lower’s Greta Shepanski opened the scoring in the first quarter, poking the ball through a maze of sticks and feet to finish off a corner chance. Middle responded in the second quarter when Boal, alone in front of goal, scored off a rebound.

Each team took turns controlling play in the second half. Lower Cape May enjoyed more possession and chances in the third quarter, but Middle responded with a very strong fourth quarter that saw the Lady Panthers pressure immensely without scoring.

“We work on holding possession at practice a lot,” Perna said. “But we have to learn how to finish. You can’t control the game and then not score.”

The contest featured two teams looking for their first victory. Lower tied Mainland, 2-2, while Middle fell to Millville in overtime, 2-1, in the teams’ respective openers last week.

Both teams were ready for Monday’s challenge.

“No matter how good either team is, it’s always a game when we play each other and today was no exception to that,” Perna said. “This was a great game. Obviously, it was very exciting.”