By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 11:01 AM
Penn-Trafford’s Gabi Rubbe competes against Upper St. Clair on Sept. 9, 2025.
Penn-Trafford’s Lyla Gross competes against Upper St. Clair on Sept. 9, 2025.
Penn-Trafford’s Brooke Bauer competes against Upper St. Clair on Sept. 9, 2025.
Penn-Trafford’s Annabelle Carvajal competes against Upper St. Clair on Sept. 9, 2025.
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It has not been the start Penn-Trafford field hockey coach Cindy Dutt wanted, but the veteran coach of more than 20 years is confident her team will improve.
The Warriors are 2-3-1 and have been dealing with all sorts of injuries — center-mid Sarah Ley is dealing with an upper body injury, forward Liz Welsh had season-ending surgery and forward Josalyn Show is dealing with a sore back.
The team lost a controversial, 1-0 decision to Upper St. Clair. Dutt said the Panthers’ shot was inside the circle. They also fell to Peters Township, 3-0, on Sept. 10.
“The Upper St. Clair game was a physical game,” Dutt said. “More physical than it should have been.
“We can run with anyone we play. We are just not finishing plays. I expected us to be better early in the season. In the preseason we were good; we are not as sharp now.”
Penn-Trafford’s offense is struggling to find the cage. Senior captain Mallory Bachar scored two goals in the win against Latrobe. Senior Gabi Rubbe and sophomore Brooke Bauer had assists.
Junior Annabell Carvajal, senior captain Emma Chamberlin and sophomore Ava Heller also have contributed to the offense.
“My defense has kept us in games,” Dutt said. “They are playing well.”
The Warriors defeated Latrobe, 2-0, and Shady Side Academy, 1-0, in a nonsection game, and tied North Allegheny, 1-1, in a nonsection game.
Senior Irelyn O’Reilly, senior Emma Jones, senior Caeley Simon, sophomore Caylyn Mellon and sophomore Kylee Kennelly lead the defense.
“I am really proud how our goalies have played,” Dutt said. “They have been solid.”
Dutt said she is still looking for the best fit.
“We have been playing better later in games,” Dutt said. “I just want the team to be more aggressive. It has been a fun team to coach. They are always looking to get better.
“Our goal is to make the playoffs. Fox Chapel and Peters Township are the top teams. We just need to continue to work hard. We still have half the season left.”
Penn-Trafford dominated Class 2A from 2016-23 by winning eight consecutive WPIAL titles. The Warriors also won in 2011.
They lost to Fox Chapel in the semifinals last fall, and Peters Township stopped that string of championships by defeating the Foxes in the finals.
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
Tags: Penn-Trafford