After a 4-0 start to the season, the Whitehall field hockey team recently took on a pair of EPC teams with aspirations of the grabbing the second state qualifying spot out of District XI in the 3A classification.

Head coach Gabi Smith described the Zephyrs’ performance versus Nazareth, “Even though we’ve struggled these past two games, we saw improvement over the game against Easton (a 6-0 loss). We were less chaotic. Our focus was on increasing our intensity and making stops outside the circle.”

The Whitehall defense was especially strong against the Nazareth corners, denying the Blue Eagles any goals in 17 opportunities. Unfortunately, three balls did find their way into the Zephyr cage during regular play, including a back breaker with just 6 seconds left in the first period that put Nazareth up 2-0.

The Zephyr offense only made a handful of forays into the Blue Eagles’ circle and generated their lone corner and shot on goal in the fourth period.

Whitehall stands at 4-3 as the 2022 campaign approaches the halfway point in the regular season.

Senior captain Emma Bonshak is tied for second in scoring in the EPC with 13 goals and 4 assists for a total of 30 points.

The rest of the Zephyrs’ scoring totals for the season to date are: Catherin Hudak (4g), Olivia Fonzone (2g, 2a), Matisyn Derkacs (2g, 1a), Ava Kozak (1g, 3a), Mya Frana (2g), Alina Culver (1g, 2a), Lydia Keppel (3a), Ava Demjan (1g, 1a), Maisey Hartman (1g), Molly McFetridge (1a).

The team will look to right the ship with a game at Liberty tonight. The Hurricanes are 1-5 on the season against a difficult schedule. They also lost to both Easton and Nazareth, 1-0 to the Rovers and 7-1 to the Blue Eagles. On Saturday morning, the Zephyrs host Pocono Mountain East.

With Whitehall moving to 2A in District XI this year, the game against the Cardinals could be a potential playoff preview. East was the district runner up to Southern Lehigh in 2A last year.