Wyoming Area’s Lyla Rehill looks on after shooting on goal during the PIAA 1A field hockey semifinal game against Boiling Springs at Milton High School, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Wyoming Area’s Juliana Gonzales takes the ball down the field during the PIAA 1A field hockey semifinal game against Boiling Springs at Milton High School, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Wyoming Area’s Lucia Campenni moves the ball down the field during the PIAA 1A field hockey semifinal game against Boiling Springs at Milton High School, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Wyoming Area’s Ella McKernan takes the ball down the field during the PIAA 1A field hockey semifinal game against Boiling Springs at Milton High School, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Wyoming Area’s Lyla Rehill charges down the field during the PIAA 1A field hockey semifinal game against Boiling Springs at Milton High School, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Wyoming Area’s Lucia Campenni moves the ball down the field during the PIAA 1A field hockey semifinal game against Boiling Springs at Milton High School, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Wyoming Area’s Juliana Gonzales (9) charges after the ball during the PIAA 1A field hockey semifinal game against Boiling Springs at Milton High School, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Wyoming Area’s Juliana Gonzales cries after losing 1-0 during the PIAA 1A field hockey semifinal game against Boiling Springs at Milton High School on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Wyoming Area’s Briana Dragwa attempts to keep the ball in play during the PIAA 1A field hockey semifinal game against Boiling Springs at Milton High School, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Wyoming Area’s Lyla Rehill defends the opposing team’s ball during the PIAA 1A field hockey semifinal game against Boiling Springs at Milton High School, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Wyoming Area’s Lucia Campenni moves the ball down the field during the PIAA 1A field hockey semifinal game against Boiling Springs at Milton High School, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Wyoming Area’s Ella McKernan takes the ball down the field during the PIAA 1A field hockey semifinal game against Boiling Springs at Milton High School, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

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Wyoming Area’s Lyla Rehill looks on after shooting on goal during the PIAA 1A field hockey semifinal game against Boiling Springs at Milton High School, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Develop

MILTON — A controversial non-call in the final minutes of the fourth quarter marked the end of Wyoming Area’s season, as the Warriors fell 1-0 to District 3 runner-up Boiling Springs on Tuesday in the semi-finals. PIAA Class 1A field hockey final.

After a steal in the attacking half, Lyla Rehill sent a diving pass into the penalty circle with just over two minutes remaining. Wyoming Area forward Juliana Gonzales received the pass and made almost immediate contact with the Boiling Springs goalie.

The Warriors failed to make a shot and the game continued without a whistle, spoiling an otherwise straightforward game at Milton Area High School.

“It had a huge impact. It should have been a stroke, but it was obviously a missed call,” Wyoming Area head coach Bree Bednarski said. “The goalkeeper didn’t go for the ball. She attacked our daughter.

“It should have been a stroke. This could have been a real game-changer.

Bednarski, the Warriors sideline and the team’s fans were apoplectic afterward. Still pleading Wyoming Region’s case 40 seconds later, Bednarski received a green card and was threatened with additional disciplinary action.

As the clock wound down, officials on the field and on the sidelines maintained the right decision had been made.

“The goalkeeper played the ball,” an official said in a post-match debriefing. “The girl fell, but the ball was presented for play.”

A scoreless, shotless first quarter gave way to a fairly contested second quarter.

With 4:44 left in the second quarter, Wyoming Region was awarded a penalty corner. After the Warriors passed the ball to Ainsley Flynn on the far side, the senior midfielder sent a pass through the penalty circle to Rehill.

Rehill collected the ball and fired a shot through the unbalanced defense at the far post. Although the ball ended up in the back of the net, officials ruled that the play was called off due to dangerous play before the shot.

“Many calls were not addressed to us as they should have been. But what are you going to do? » said Bednarski. “Our girls played the best they could under the circumstances, and I’m proud of them.”

Three minutes later, Boiling Springs earned its second penalty corner of the game. Thanks to the insertion of Kate Yenser, Anna Lucido scored to give the Bubblers the lead late in the first half, which held for the rest of regulation time.

The Warriors played an aggressive second half. They won three more corners without conceding any and finally managed to put their first shot on goal.

Even after the contested no-foul, Wyoming Region pressed on with another dangerous possession, but couldn’t break through Boiling Springs’ steadfast defense.

“We absolutely dominated the whole game. The whole game we dominated,” Bednarski said. “We had possession. We were in our offensive circle for almost 90% of the game, just a lot of missed calls.

Wyoming Area finished its season with a 20-1 overall record, one game away from a return to the PIAA state championship finals.

“We played a very, very good season,” Bednarski said. “I’m proud of them. I’m sad for them.

“I’m sad for them, because they’ve worked really hard this year and they deserve to go to the final.”

Wyoming Area’s deep playoff run drew parallels to its previous campaign to the state final two years ago. In 2022 – with many of the same players – it reached the championship game, falling to Boiling Springs.

Of the Warriors’ 11 semifinal starters, six are graduating this year. Next season, they will be without Gonzales, Flynn, Ella McKernan, Krea Bonita, Addyson Dragwa and Rehill, the team’s 2024 leader in goals and assists.

“When I came in, they were sophomores,” Bednarski said. “They grew up with me, and I grew up with them. They are truly true leaders on this team.

Boiling Springs 1, Wyoming Area 0

Second: Lucido (BS) by Yenser, 1:41; Shooting corners: BS 1-2, WA 1-6; Saves: Shoemaker (BS) 0, Muniz (WA) 0.