PAC Field Hockey Championship Preview: Boyertown vs. Methacton

Reigning champion Boyertown opposes Methacton in the Pioneer Athletic Conference field hockey championship on Thursday, 7 p.m. at Upper Perkiomen.

A breakdown of the matchup:

Boyertown (1) vs. Methacton (3)

Records: Boyertown – 9-1 PAC Liberty, 12-1 PAC, 16-3 overall, No. 4 in District 1-4A rankings … Methacton – 8-2 PAC Liberty, 11-2 PAC, 15-3-1 overall, No. 5 in District 1-4A rankings

Head-to-head: Boyertown swept the season series, both games being played at Methacton. Junior Peyton Shellaway scored twice in a 2-1 win on Sept. 20, then on Oct. 12, Boyertown spoiled the Warriors’ Senior NIght, getting two fourth quarter goals en route to a 3-1 victory.

PAC Playoff history: Boyertown is in the championship game for the third straight season. The Bears won their second league championship in 2022, ending a 20-year drought since their only other title in 2002. … Methacton has two PAC championships in the program’s history (2008, 2017) and one other finals appearance (2010).

Boyertown at a glance: The Bears have risen to become the PAC’s best program over the past three seasons, coinciding with coach Alicia Terrizzi’s tenure, and back-to-back titles would solidify the case. The uprising won’t be ending anything soon either with eight underclassmen – three sophomores, five freshmen – in the starting lineup. Junior Peyton Shellaway is the leader in the midfield, fellow junior Alex Bliss is crucial in the defensive midfield while sophomore Elise Eves does a bit of everything. Freshman Kendal Gilbert has impressed offensively, as has freshman Maya Brunner while senior Hannah Ulrich aids the cause. The defense features sophomores Alaina Charlesworth and Mady Detwiler and senior Mary Catherine Maloney in front of freshman goalie Addison Galianese. Other starters include junior Aubrey Gilbert and freshmen Emily Ulrich and Sarah Rothenberger.

Methacton at a glance: Winning the Liberty Division the previous two seasons didn’t render the results Methacton would have liked when trying to make the PAC final. This course – second place in the division and a defeat of Frontier champ Upper Perkiomen in the semis – is just as well and a deserved trip for a Methacton’s senior class that features captains Carmela Maro, Lily DeWan and Renee Blake. The trio’s imprint is all over what the Warriors have accomplished. They’re complemented in the offense and midfield by Giada Catoia, Calie Fisher, Lea DeWan, Ceci Rehak, Lizzie Mun, Elena Weychert and Maddy Baker. On defense, Brayden Williams, Olivia Kline, Kyra Maurer and Dylan Oszeyczik help protect Maddie McKenney in goal.

Matchup: WIth two top 5 teams in District 1, Boyertown vs. Methacton is the rightful matchup for the PAC final. Boyertown sweeping the regular season meetings was not a fluke. In their meeting last week, the Bears were the aggressor at all times and they set the tempo. While it was a tie going into the fourth quarter, Boyertown were rewarded for their control by two separating scores. Methacton must match Boyertown’s tenacity if they are to unseat the champs. Unfortunately for the Warriors, the Bears’ budding dynasty is just beginning. … Boyertown 2, Methacton 1