Dallastown wins YAIAA field hockey title [York Daily Record, Pa.]

Oct. 18--All it took was one goal to be scored.

Once that happened, Dallastown really put on the pressure during Thursday's YAIAA field hockey championship game against rival Red Lion.

It was a championship philosophy that led to a title-winning performance on the turf at Northeastern High School.

Rachael Anstine's goal eight minutes into the second half got things rolling and the Wildcats' offensive push did the rest. Dallastown won its second straight league tournament championship behind a 2-0 victory.

"We feed off each other's energy. We build each other up," Anstine said. "Having the first goal is good. Getting the second is even better, knowing that if they score you are still up."

"That is our game plan anyway Because the first (goal), it is easy for them to come back and retaliate," Wildcats coach Jeri Myers said.

Dallastown, which improved to 19-1, charged out and nearly capitalized twice in the first two minutes of the second half. The onslaught produced one effort that was swept away by a Lion defender at the last second, followed by an apparent goal that was disallowed on a dangerous play call.

Finally, Anstine found a crack near the Red Lion cage and fired a low shot past Lions' keeper Jess Everett.

"I got the ball ... I don't really think too much when I am there. I turned around and put it straight through my legs," Anstine said. "I guess I have long enough legs to put it through there."

A minute later, Red Lion star Ali Posey lofted a high shot that went over the Wildcats cage. A short while later, Myers called a timeout to stem any Lions momentum, and Dallastown responded.

Everett made a sparkling save of a high shot, leading to a second-straight penalty corner, and Red Lion survived the ensuing scramble in front of its net.

However, Ashley Chioda drove into the scoring area and ripped a shot that hit a defender and found the back of the net for the all-important insurance marker with 8:25 remaining in the game.

"My senior class was here last year. This is their second time around, They know what it is like," Myers said. "They said, 'Don't worry coach, we are not going into overtime, we are not going into strokes this year. We are winning it outright.'"

Wildcats keeper Niki Bream only had to make one save, but it was a tough one early in the contest. The Lions (15-3) couldn't generate many good scoring opportunities after the intermission.

"Our offense needed to step up and make some plays," Red Lion coach Carol Gillmen said. "We had some corners and didn't get shots off. Dallastown came up on the ball quickly. Their whole team attacked very well ... We didn't have much transition offense."

Both teams will begin District 3 Class AAA play on Tuesday. Dallastown is the fourth seed and will face the winner of Saturday's Ephrata-Governor Mifflin contest at 6 p.m. at York Suburban.

[email protected] @SteveNavaroli on Twitter

The Lions will meet Manheim Central at 4 p.m., also at Suburban.

Red Lion 0 0 -- 0

Dallastown 0 2 -- 2

Second half -- 1. Dt, Rachael Anstine (Molly Childress, Taylor Kline), 21:55. 2. Dt, Ashley Chioda (Bryna Cook), 8:25.

Shots on goal -- RL 1, Dt 7

Corners -- RL 4, Dt 12.

Goalies -- RL, Jess Everett (5 saves), Dt, Niki Bream (1 save).

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