GREENWOOD VILLAGE — Sometimes it helps to be lucky and good.
Courtney Engle and the Colorado Academy field hockey team survived an offensive onslaught that lasted until the final seconds for a nail-biting, 1-0 victory over Smoky Hill in the second game of the state semifinals Wednesday night at All-City Stadium.
Engle remained pumped long after the final shot deflected off her pads.
“It felt like I was in a zone, but, honestly, I don’t remember really what happened,” she said. “I just kind of got in the way of things.”
So did her teammates.
Colorado Academy (12-2-2) ended a scoreless first-half stalemate with a beautiful late goal.
On a 3-on-2 break, Davis Reiter took a pass from the midfield and looked like she had an open shot on goal. But Reiter charged toward the goal and dished to her right at the last second, finding Ali Abramovitz wide open. Abramovitz easily tapped in the only goal of the game.
“I thought she was going to take the shot, but I think that was all part of our plan,” Abramovitz said. “I think she was just trying to fake out the keeper, which obviously worked.”
After that goal, the game seemed to turn in the favor of Smoky Hill (11-5-2).
The Buffaloes started to build some momentum midway through the second half, setting up a number of penalty corners in quick succession. Shots on goal followed, but Engle swatted them aside.
As the minutes ticked away, Smoky Hill produced more opportunities, one after another, but somehow the ball stayed out of the net.
Said Smoky Hill coach Jenny Perizzolo: “We needed to drop one in. … The girls played hard. They left their hearts on the field.”
Smoky Hill 0 0 – 0
Colorado Academy 1 0 – 1
First half – CA: Abramovitz (Reiter), 4:49.
Shots on goal – Smoky Hill 2-7 – 9; Colorado Academy 2-3 – 5. Saves – Smoky Hill (Wagner) 1-3 – 4; Colorado Academy (Engle) 2-7 – 9.
