The Parkland High School field hockey team had its run at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference tournament end one game short of its goal of the championship game as its fell in the semifinal to Easton, 2-1, last Thursday night at Whitehall High School.

The third-seeded Trojans (15-4-1 overall) had a goal scored from Rosella Birns in the fourth quarter, but they could not muster up any more offense as the second-seeded Red Rovers (17-2) got two third-quarter goals from Zoe Angelinas and Jocelyn Morgan and held on for the victory.

After a scoreless first half that saw each team mustering up just one shot on goal each, Easton broke through in quick succession. The opening goal was on a two-on-one breakaway and then, 2:31 later, a high-powered shot beat Lexi Pritchard to the back of the cage. Pritchard finished with three saves.

“Honestly, I did not feel we showed up for that EPC semifinal,” Sikora said. “We played complacent field hockey. We decided to be more defensive minded than offensive minded and in turn we beat ourselves. Easton is a fast and talented team, not to take away from them, but I do feel if we play to the best of our abilities then if we see them in districts we will be successful.”

Parkland had a strong regular season and went 14-3-1, earning the three seed in the conference tournament and clinched a spot in the District 11 3A Tournament. The Trojans defeated Whitehall 4-1 in the league quarterfinals behind four different goal scorers, including Aurora Gery, Lila Temchatin, Anna Sensinger and Elaina Fragassi.

“I am very pleased with our regular season,” said Sikora. “We were able to be offensive and capitalize against teams in the circle. Our success was spread out along the team, with players from defensive, midfield and forward lines contributing. This team competed with difficult teams and showed a desire to be the best.”

The Trojans are also the three seed in districts and will open in the quarterfinal round against the sixth seed, Stroudsburg, on Thursday night at Parkland High School.

“Districts is exciting because hopefully we will get an opportunity to play the teams we have not beaten yet this season, Easton and Emmaus,” Sikora said. “We’d like the opportunity to play, win, and have the chance to participate in the state playoff.”

Easton went on to lose to Emmaus 5-0 in the league title game.