How evenly matched were the two sides? So close that they were separated by one play, a single shot, one goal.

Either team was capable of making it. But Erin Huffman did, for the Palmyra Cougars.

On Saturday afternoon at Milton Hershey School’s Henry Hershey Field, Huffman’s goal produced a District Three Class AAA field hockey championship for Palmyra. Huffman’s goal with just over four minutes remaining was the difference, as the Cougars edged emerging rival Penn Manor 1-0 in the title tilt.

And it was a goal befitting the intensity and meaning of the contest.

The play originated from the Palmyra defensive backfield and in many ways was a counter-attack by the Cougars. Deftly stick-handling, Huffman carried the ball half the field, into the Comets side of the field and into the left portion of their circle.

Once there, Huffman unleashed a quick, precise reverse shot that ended up inside the right goalpost of Penn Manor’s cage.

Not only did Huffman’s tally exorcise some demons from two of Palmyra’s previous meetings with the Comets, it produced the Cougars’ tenth overall District Three championship.

– Jeff Falk