LEHMAN — The question posed was: “What was the favorite memory of the season?”
Lancaster Country Day’s Anna Fisher and Maddy Green echoed in unison, “The overtime win against Wyomissing.”
The field hockey duo could’ve picked a plethora of options. Completing back-to-back undefeated regular seasons. Claiming a third straight Lancaster-Lebanon League Section Four title. Qualifying for the program’s first PIAA Class 1A tournament.
The victory against the Spartans was a steppingstone to the Cougars’ historic campaign, but the shared statement made by Fisher and Green demonstrated the team’s synchronization. It was an example of why the aforementioned achievements occurred in the first place.
“Our team is really like a family,” Green said. “From our practices to our team dinners to our games, you have so much support. It’s so much fun being on this team.”
From the first whistle of 2025 to the last on Tuesday in the first round of the state dance, the Cougars never lost sight of their family feeling. Lake-Lehman, the District Two champion, ended LCD’s historic track with a 3-1 victory at Edward H. Edwards Stadium.
The Cougars (19-5) could’ve nit-picked a play here or a call there, but they kept their heads high as they gave their last word on a program-altering chapter.
“I’m just so proud of what they did,” LCD coach Betsy Heim said. “The girls worked incredibly hard, and I’m just so happy that we got this opportunity to play here. It was so close, but they accomplished so much this season.”
It’s the kind of season that will be recalled as generations pass through the program. The kind of group that will have a picture in the hallway display case. The kind of players that will be considered the trailblazers.
To know the Cougars were bordering the next historic step, it wasn’t a feeling of disappointment. It was, “What if this happened or that didn’t?”
Lake-Lehman received a friendly bounce on a defender’s stick to harness a 1-0 advantage with 6:35 left in the first quarter. A questionable penalty stroke was awarded with 9:03 to play in the third, leading to a 2-0 lead.
“I think this could’ve gone either way,” Fisher said. “It’s not like they were controlling the game most of the time, especially in the first half. I think it was just a couple of unlucky instances in our circle and us not carrying out some of our corners. The attacking side hurt us tonight, but I think it was a really good showing of skill and what we could do.”
The Cougars had the Knights at full attention with their short-stick possession and ability to eliminate countless threats. LCD goalie Yara Elbarbary was the linchpin of the defense, posting seven saves.
“It was anyone’s game,” Green said, “and they were a really strong team. But I think we played our game and left it all out there.”
LCD drew five first-half corners and nine total. The Cougars ripped 11 shots, with Fisher’s reversal at the 4:56 mark of the third quarter standing as the lone Lake-Lehman blemish.
The Knights countered LCD’s right and left hook 12 seconds later. Ady Perlis banked Olivia Oliver’s assist for the knockout punch, making it 3-1.
“She’s a fighter, and I’m so proud of her for everything she’s accomplished and putting that goal in tonight,” Heim said of Fisher. “It meant a lot to her, and it meant a lot to us. It was an incredible ride.”
The ride has plans for an extension in 2026. Fisher is one of only three seniors graduating while Green’s blue-chip arsenal will be complemented by a crop of returning juniors and underclassmen.
Just as Fisher and Green were asked about their favorite memory, an inquiry of lasting impact was presented. They echoed similar passages.
“I’ve put so much work into this program, and I’m really happy with how hard it paid off,” Fisher said. “How much I wanted it, I think everyone’s kind of matched that.”
“I think for next year, I’m really excited to watch everyone grow just as much as they did this year,” Green said. “We want to be a strong team again.”
The Cougars’ family feeling will endure. The synchronization is synonymous.
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