Villa Maria Academy received two goals and two assists from its leading scorer, Caroline Troncelliti, and weathered a late rally Saturday to beat Upper Perkiomen, 4-2, at Wissahickon for its record fifth straight District 1 Class AA field hockey championship.
The title is also the 10th in the history of the Malvern school. No other team in Class AAA or AA has won five district titles in a row.
The Hurricanes' win, their 18th in 20 games this season, looked early on as if it would be easy.
They jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Olivia Bolles with 7 minutes, 21 seconds gone in the first half and followed that up less than six minutes later with Troncelliti's first goal.
But the Indians held Villa scoreless for the remainder of the half, halting three offensive penalty corners.
Villa made it 3-0 midway through the second half on sophomore Megan Parson's goal. Troncelliti intercepted a pass and dribbled 40 yards to score with 13:57 to play, and it appeared the Hurricanes would be home free.
But the Indians offense came alive with a pair of goals within 21/2 minutes. Anna Duemler scored with 9:38 left and Carrie Nyce followed up to make it 4-2, and the Hurricanes knew they were in a game.
"We didn't panic," said Troncelliti, who has 43 goals this season. "We knew we needed to slow the pace, take some time off she clock.
Hurricanes coach Maurene Polley, who has been coaching at schools for 42 years, agreed.
"I don't think we were ever in trouble," she said.
As a result of the win, Villa Maria will meet Manheim Central, the sixth-place team from District 3, in the first round of the PIAA playoffs Tuesday.
The game will be played at a time and place to be determined.
Manheim Central lost in the playback game for the fifth- and sixth-place spot from the district.
Upper Perk will meet the District 11 champion Tuesday, also at a time and place to be determined.
Upper Perkiomen 0 2 – 2
Villa Maria 2 2 – 4
Goals: UP-Anna Duemler, Carrie Nyce; VM-Caroline Troncelliti 2, Olivia Bolles, Megan Parsons.
Saves: UP-Katey Lederer 9; VMA-Maddie Joyce 4.
Contact staff writer Don Beideman at 267-815-0733 or dbeideman@phillynews.com.
