The Northampton field hockey team went into Nazareth for their EPC quarterfinal contest on Tuesday and outshot the Blue Eagles 14-8 and drew more corners, 9-7, but left the field on the wrong side of a 2-0 score due to the outstanding goalkeeping of Nazareth’s Mackenzie Mann.

Head coach Carrie Saul reacted to Mann’s performance, “One of her saves could be on SportsCenter Top 10. That one (in the third quarter) where she kind of roundhoused it. She...Wow… We got stymied by the goalie.”

That save came at a crucial juncture as the K-Kids were attempting to battle back from a 1-0 halftime deficit.

Northampton had the better of the play in the first period, outshooting Nazareth 6-1 and drawing 4 corners, but the back of the cage proved to be elusive.

The Blue Eagles generated 4 corners of their own in the second period and finally broke through with 3:19 left in the half when Mikayla Singer scored during the run of the play.

With the K-Kids pressing for the tie late in the fourth period, Nazareth was able to force a turnover and score an insurance goal. Singer scored with 2:43 left in the game, assisted by Morgan Koch.

Northampton has 9 days to solve the puzzle that Mann presents because the K-Kids will be back in Nazareth next Thursday for a district quarterfinal game. The Blue Eagles’ keeper has a three-game shoutout streak versus Northampton, including two double OT games. Saul surmised, “We have to find answers to our scoring woes. We’re going to work on our composure in the circle and maintaining that tenacity and get some skinned knees.”

The EPC All-Star teams for field hockey were released this week. Three K-Kids were recognized. Raegan Iasiello was named to the first team. It was her second time being honored after appearing on the second team last year. Kendall Iasiello is on the second team for a second consecutive year. Senior Ella Steirer earned her first EPC All-Star nod. Junior Brooke Saul was a notable omission after a breakout season.