Meredith Makhoul recalls the playing days of her field hockey career when she suited up for Salisbury in the early 2000s. In her first two seasons, the Lady Falcons had qualified for both the Colonial League and district tournaments.

Since then, Salisbury has not tasted postseason play in field hockey. But that drought came to an end this season due to enrollment realignment in the PIAA District 11 classifications.

Despite falling to Freedom on senior night last Friday at Salisbury High School, 6-0, the Lady Falcons’ season will include at least one district playoff game. All four Class 2A teams in District 11 qualify for the tournament, with Salisbury likely drawing likely top seed Bangor in the semifinals.

“We were all expecting this to be our last game,” said Falcon senior Jessette Long of last Friday’s game against the Patriots. “She [coach Makhoul] told us last game that we were going to be going to districts. I think we’re all pretty excited. Since this is a new thing for us to go to districts we’re not expecting anything, so we can just come out and play our game and see how we do.”

The feeling surrounding this trip to the postseason is drastically different than the one over a decade ago that Makhoul experienced as a player, yet it’s an opportunity for this group to experience some extra field hockey. And they’re certainly excited about the chance at keeping their season alive.

The news was even more exciting as the team learned just day a before its senior night that celebrated both Long and Ronya Nameh.

“I think every year we look forward to it because it’s the biggest game for us,” Long said. “Even though we didn’t win, it’s still the most fun night of the season. Usually it’s really sad, but we’re going to districts this year so it’s not sad.”

Makhoul has coached Long ever since she was in eighth grade. Nameh joined the team two years ago, Makhoul has seen the improvement and versatility she’s displayed.

“[Nameh] is a utility player for us,” Makhoul said. “Even this game I had her playing some back and some forward. She’s very aggressive. She doesn’t put her head down. And she is just a great person to have on the team.”

Long earned the status of captain in her final season and has been the only rostered player to be on the team for the past four years. She’s become one of the unquestioned leaders for this young group of Lady Falcons.

“She is kind of the quiet one that comes in when you need her on the field,” Makhoul said. “She’s been in the midfield, but she stepped up and took over center mid this season and is really taking charge. She’s a great leader on and off the field.”

“I got to be captain this year, which was exciting as I was the captain in middle school, too,” said Long, a four-year starter for the Lady Falcons. “I was the only one playing in my grade for awhile until Ronya joined, so that was exciting.”

Freedom jumped in front early in the game with five first-half goals, two coming from each Shalyn Banas (three total) and Emily Saulino. Banas scored the lone goal in the second half to put the final stamp on the game.

Salisbury had an opportunity on a penalty shot with less than eight minutes to play in regulation, but her shot was saved by Freedom’s goalie to keep the Lady Falcons off the scoreboard.

“I know we’ve been struggling with wins, but that just gives us room to see improvement and keep growing that way,” Long said. “And we come together as a team, rather than just focusing on the wins.”

“I think it’s important for us to remember that even if we do lose, it’s 2-0 or 1-0,” Makhoul said. “This game was a little bit of a blowout, but this game was 5-0 in the first half and then the second half it was only 1-0. They have the potential to do these amazing things, and I think it’s important for them to remember that.”