Salem field hockey scores late to edge Pitman, 1-0

Salem goalie Lizzie Hudock, shown in previous action, helped her team beat Pitman, 1-0, on Monday. (Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media)

Salem goalie Lizzie Hudock, shown in previous action, helped her team beat Pitman, 1-0, on Monday. (Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media)

  • 10/10 - 11:00 AM Field HockeyFinal
    Salem 1
    Pitman 0
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PITMAN -- Although the Salem field hockey team entered the second half scoreless against Pitman on Monday afternoon, Rams coach Donna O'Leary knew a goal was coming.

It had taken longer than expected, but the Rams wouldn’t let down their coach.

Coming up with a clutch score to punctuate a strong all-around performance and remain perfect within its division, Salem knocked off the Panthers, 1-0, in a battle of Tri-County Conference-Classic Division contenders.

“I told them at halftime that they were going to have to score on a breakaway, our plays on the corners just weren’t working,” O’Leary said. “And that’s what we ended up doing, so it was good to see. I’m actually a little disappointed we didn’t get a few more goals, but we had a good game. We did some really nice things today. I’m proud of our girls.”

Salem’s win furthered the Rams’ lead in the Classic with a 6-0 record, comfortably ahead of Pitman (5-4-2, 3-2 Classic) as well as Gloucester (4-1-1).

The game-winning goal for the Rams (9-3) came in the 43rd minute when Ayanna Chapman scored on a pass from Autumn Glaspey. The Rams weren’t limited to just that opportunity, though, as they attempted 20 shots and had 17 corners while thoroughly outplaying Pitman for much of the contest.

The team also came up big defensively, shutting out the Panthers despite ample scoring chances on 10 corners. Pitman was held to just seven shots, while Salem goalie Lizzie Hudock made five saves.

“We have some fast girls, and they came up big today,” O’Leary said. “This was a division game, and these matter a lot to us. But every game is important and we’re just taking it one at a time by looking at each team we play. We did that today and it worked out.”

The Rams’ performance continued their recent dominance with wins in six of their last seven, the lone loss coming to one of South Jersey’s best in Delsea.

“We’re coming along,” O’Leary said. “But I still think we can be better.”

Meanwhile, Pitman struggled with consistency. The team was helped tremendously by the play of goalie Maura Glenn, who made 17 saves.

Pitman came into Monday in need of a jolt as the team had lost three of its past four. The recent skid comes after the Panthers opened the year on fire by going 4-0-2.

"We're not just playing disciplined hockey, there's a few sloppy things," Panthers coach Tracey Pinque said. "We're a young team, but that's still inexcusable. We can't have letdowns during the game and I think that's what hurt us today. We started out strong in the second half, but we didn't capitalize.

“The mental side of the game is just as important as the physical skills, and I think that’s what we’re still working on.”

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