Box score

YORK, Pa. - Brittany Simmons had a hand in both goals for the third-seeded Spartans as she totaled a goal and an assist to lead the York (Pa.) field hockey team to a 2-1 victory over sixth-seeded Stevenson Sunday in the first round of the CAC Field Hockey Championship at Kinsley Field.

The win advances the Spartans (14-7) to Wednesday's semifinals where they will face second-seeded Mary Washington who handed York a 2-1 home loss back on September 12.

In Sunday's other first round contest, fourth-seeded Wesley needed overtime to edge fifth-seeded St. Mary's (Md.) at home, 3-2.

Simmons scored the game's first goal with just 1:27 remaining before the half to give the Spartans a 1-0 halftime lead. The goal came after back-to-back saves by Stevenson junior keeper Kara Zimmerman (Odenton/Arundel) who totaled eight in the opening half where the Mustangs were outshot 14-0. York also held an 8-0 margin in penalty corners.

Simmons would assist on the game-winner just 4:28 into the second half when Katie Dawkins scored her team-leading 17th goal of the season off a penalty corner to push the lead to 2-0.

Stevenson (6-12) managed its first quality scoring opportunity with just over 25 minutes remaining in the second half when it earned its first penalty corner which led to its first shot.

After junior Katelyn Manocheh (Timonium/Maryvale Prep) registered the team's first shot that was saved by the Spartans' Claire Rekitzke, the Mustangs got on the board with 25:19 remaining as sophomore Brittany Martin (Hampstead/Hereford) scored her second of the year on a penalty stroke, the team's second penalty stroke goal of the season.

Stevenson played much better in the second half as it mounted a comeback, but the Spartans kept their distance as they held a 6-2 edge in shots and an 8-2 margin in corners and held the Mustangs without a shot on goal the final 25 minutes.

Zimmerman finished the game with 11 saves and a career-best 172 for the season. She now has 420 career saves after just three saves and would look to further add to her school record in her final season next year.

Sunday's contest marked the final contest in the careers of seniors Sarah Bauer (Baltimore/Perry Hall) and Raechel Manly (Bel Air/Bel Air). The two were part of three consecutive appearances in the CAC Field Hockey Championship as well as a school record 10 wins last season.

During their four-year careers, the duo won 26 games while Bauer totaled 23 points in 67 games on eight goals and seven assists and Manly had 20 points in 75 games on nine goals and two assists.