Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

BLOOMSBURG — As the heart-sickening shot slapped off an opposing stick and trickled across the goal line before stopping at the very back of the cage, Crestwood’s whole season flashed before its eyes.

No more state championship dreams.

No more run at a perfect record.

No more hope to avenge last year’s defeat in the state final, and no more chances for the Comets to prove they really are the top team in the state.

No, wait.

That apparent game-ending goal for Greenwood was waved off. And Lizzy Dessoye made sure there wouldn’t be any more scares for Crestwood.

Dessoye scored on a break-away goal with 7:03 remaining in overtime Saturday, lifting Crestwood into the PIAA Class 2A semifinals with a 1-0 victory over Greenwood in a dynamic defensive battle at Central Columbia High School that was more of a relief than something to relish for the 19-0 Comets.

“Even when we messed up,” Dessoye said, “we made sure to come out with a positive attitude.”

Crestwood counted itself fortunate just to come out with a win.

Limited to eight shots on the day and frustrated by Greenwood’s speedy defense, the Comets very nearly had their state title hopes crushed.

With just over eight minutes to play in a scoreless overtime game, Greenwood let loose with a long blast. Losing speed quickly, it rolled softly into the open left side of the cage – untouched by anyone, as one Crestwood defender missed a chance to clear it and another got crossed up and went the other way.

Untouched was the key.

Because game officials ruled the shot came from just outside of the circle, and since all scores in field hockey must be converted from inside the circle, what looked to be a game-winning goal for Greenwood was ruled to be no good.

“They had their goal called back because they (the officials) said someone didn’t touch it in the circle,” said Dessoye, Crestwood’s Maryland-bound senior who has developed a knack for coming through in the clutch.

Given a second life, Dessoye didn’t hesitate to score the dramatic goal that saved Crestwood’s season.

She took a pass at her own 40-yard line, carried it the length of the field, and beat the last two – and best two – Greenwood defenders in the circle to create a one-on-one opportunity with the game on the line.

“I didn’t see anyone in front of me,” Dessoye said. “I just kept going and going.”

After Dessoye made a move to elude Greenwood’s ace ball-stopper Mallory Fortenbaugh, Greenwood goalie Nicole Willi charged out in an attempt to kick the ball away. She missed, and Dessoye cooly flicked the deciding goal into an open net to send Crestwood into Tuesday’s state semifinals against 25-2 Twin Valley, which tagged Forbes Road 7-0 in another PIAA quarterfinal game Saturday.

“As soon as I eliminated the last defender, I saw her running out,” Dessoye said of Greenwood’s goalie. “I knew I had to go left or right with it. I kept telling myself, ‘Lizzy, do not miss the open goal.’ Because that happens so many times in practice. I just said, ‘Lizzy, you have to make this.

“Do not miss.’ ”

She didn’t, and Dessoye’s place in playoff lore was re-established.

As a freshman, she delivered a game-winning goal with two seconds to play in an early-round state playoff game that triggered the team’s PIAA title run in 2012. And her game-opening goal in the rain in Tuesday’s opening state round paved the way for Crestwood’s 3-2 victory over Manheim Central.

“Yeah, Lizzy’s clutch,” Crestwood coach Patsy Moratori said. “When the game’s on the line, she definitely wants it in her hands. She’d kind of like (her older sister) Anna (now a senior at Maryland) in that respect.”

The Comets came away with nothing but respect for a Greenwood team that took them to the limit.

Willi made a game-high seven stops, and most of them were spectacular.

Her diving save on a strong shot by Crestwood’s Hunter Pitman with 1:50 to play in regulation drew plenty of praise from both teams’ fans.

“Nerve-racking,” Moratori said of the highly-intense battle.

And in the final 12 seconds of the second half, Willi made three consecutive head-turning blocks in rapid-fire succession to turn away the Comets and send the teams to overtime.

“They had a very good defense,” Dessoye said. “Their girls were really aggressive coming in. We knew their goalie was going to be attacking the ball.”

In the end, though, Dessoye turned that aggressiveness against Greenwood.

And it took Crestwood right to the state semifinals.

“Just to get around No. 24 (Fortenbaugh), that was the key,” Moratori said. “She stopped a lot of our shots. I thought after she (Dessoye) got around 24, I was pretty sure she could take care of the goal keeper. I think it’s definitely good for them (the Comets), to see nothing is going to be easy.”

Crestwood 1, Greenwood 0 (OT)

Greenwood`0`0`0`—`0

Crestwood`0`0`1`—`1

Overtime — 1. CRE, Lizzy Dessoye 7:57.

Shots — GRE 3; CRE 8. Saves — GRE 7 (Nicole Willi); CRE 3 (Marlee Dillon). Penalty corners — GRE 9; CRE 6.

Greenwood’s Autumn Farner, left, and Crestwood’s Ashleigh Thomas collide during Saturday’s overtime field hockey quarterfinal at Central Columbia High School. Lizzy Dessoye scored the only goal in the eighth minute of the extra period to send Crestwood to the state semifinals with a 1-0 victory.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_crestwoodgreenwood01.jpg.optimal.jpgGreenwood’s Autumn Farner, left, and Crestwood’s Ashleigh Thomas collide during Saturday’s overtime field hockey quarterfinal at Central Columbia High School. Lizzy Dessoye scored the only goal in the eighth minute of the extra period to send Crestwood to the state semifinals with a 1-0 victory.

Crestwood’s Hannah Ackers, right, chases down the ball during Saturday’s field hockey quarterfinal against Greenwood at Central Columbia High School.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_crestwoodgreenwood02.jpg.optimal.jpgCrestwood’s Hannah Ackers, right, chases down the ball during Saturday’s field hockey quarterfinal against Greenwood at Central Columbia High School.

Crestwood’s Hunter Pitman, right, and Greenwood’s Anna Weger pursue the ball during Saturday’s field hockey quarterfinal at Central Columbia High School.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_crestwoodgreenwood03.jpg.optimal.jpgCrestwood’s Hunter Pitman, right, and Greenwood’s Anna Weger pursue the ball during Saturday’s field hockey quarterfinal at Central Columbia High School.

Crestwood’s Hunter Pitman, right, deflects the ball towards Greenwood’s Morgan Kauffman during Saturday’s field hockey quarterfinal at Central Columbia High School.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_crestwoodgreenwood04.jpg.optimal.jpgCrestwood’s Hunter Pitman, right, deflects the ball towards Greenwood’s Morgan Kauffman during Saturday’s field hockey quarterfinal at Central Columbia High School.

Crestwood’s Lauren Rowski, right, tries to cut off a shot during Saturday’s field hockey quarterfinal against Greenwood at Central Columbia High School.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_crestwoodgreenwood05.jpg.optimal.jpgCrestwood’s Lauren Rowski, right, tries to cut off a shot during Saturday’s field hockey quarterfinal against Greenwood at Central Columbia High School.

Crestwood’s Jordan Olenginski eludes a Greenwood defender in Saturday’s field hockey quarterfinal at Central Columbia High School.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_crestwoodgreenwood06.jpg.optimal.jpgCrestwood’s Jordan Olenginski eludes a Greenwood defender in Saturday’s field hockey quarterfinal at Central Columbia High School.
Crestwood senior puts Comets in state semifinals with overtime goal

By Paul Sokoloski

[email protected]

Reach Paul Sokoloski at 570-991-6392 or on Twitter @TLPaulSokoloski