Junior Ashley Wilbur scored an early goal to spur Assumption’s 3-0 victory over Sacred Heart in Friday night’s championship game of the 44th annual Apple “Stick it to Cancer” field hockey tournament.
The Rockets’ victory ended the Valkyries’ 11-year streak of Apple championships.
Assumption head coach Debbie Judd said she was proud of the team. She said that after 11 years, it was about time for a win.
Gallery | Assumption wins Apple Tournament
“I’ve always said that this is just a tournament that helps us get better for our state,” Judd said. “As long as we keep improving, we’ll be happy. But even though we won, we still have a long, long ways to go to the full potential of what we have.”
Wilbur, wide-eyed and breathless, said that she was excited about what this win meant for the team as a whole.
“I knew that getting us off to a good start early on would really help us push in further this game,” Wilbur said, “so that really was the mentality I went into this game with. … Last season we won the majority of our games and we kind of went into state high-headed. I think we need to stay focused on this and stay humble and keep working hard to get to state.”
After Wilbur’s early goal, the Rockets scored twice in the second half, the first by junior Erica Cooper and second by senior Sydney McKenna.
McKenna said she felt like she was on top of the world.
“It really sets our confidence up high,” McKenna said. “Last year Sacred Heart won (this tournament) and they won state, so it gives us a real confidence that if we won (tonight) we have a great shot at winning state.”
Earlier Friday, Atherton defeated South Oldham 4-1 for the Green Division title.
All-tournament team players were announced for the Green and the Red Divisions:
Green: Lexi Wingfield, Hunter Elzy, Sadie Wright (Atherton); Avery Periard, Hailey Crittendon (South Oldham); Erin Horton (Eastern); Grace Dukes (Male); Audrey Denham (Presentation); Kaylee Thornsberry (Holy Cross); Kayla Cooksey (Seneca); Katherine Yochum (North Oldham). Wendy Martin MVP – Lexi Wingfield (Atherton).
Red: Camryn Pichea, Emma Spinetto, Chloe Fox (Assumption); Meghan Strite, Audrey Tabor (Sacred Heart); Alex Conrad (Ballard); Leah Burke (Eastern); Claire Dickinson (Kentucky Country Day); Katie Norris (Mercy); Claire Thomas (Christian Academy); Sarah Biggs (Manual). Wendy Martin MVP – Camryn Pichea (Assumption).