Cheers filled the air on a chilly autumn night as time expired and the Lady Chiefs held on to defeat their rival. At the season’s pink-out game on October 17, the Cherokee Lady Chiefs field hockey team defeated the Lenape Indians 2-1 in a thrilling fashion.

Early into the game, Lenape had the first scoring opportunity. Cherokee goalie Emma Altenburg made a nice kick save, preventing Lenape from scoring. Midway through the first half, Allison Yocum scored, giving the Lady Chiefs the lead. Lenape had several more scoring opportunities, including a free hit with four minutes left in the first half, but all were blocked by Cherokee, ending the first half 1-0.

Lenape went right on the attack at the start of the second half, but the shot went wide of the net. Cherokee quickly countered with the same result. Cherokee earned two free hits, both in which the ball deflected over the goal. The Indians earned two free hits themselves a short while later. The second of those free hits resulted in Lenape tying the game with about fifteen minutes to go. Shortly thereafter, Christina Orio moved up the right of the field and completed a cross. However, the ball was cleared by a Lenape defender. Allison Yocum then scored her second goal of the game for the Lady Chiefs, putting them back in the lead with four minutes and twenty seconds to go. The Lenape Indians got another chance to tie the game on a shot that appeared to trickle past the goalie, but Bella Evans preserved the one goal lead by clearing the ball. The Lady Chiefs then held off their rival for the remainder of the game, securing the victory.

The game that night was in support of breast cancer awareness as a part of the Lenape Regional High School District’s pink-out month. The teams wore pink in support of the cause, with the Lady Chiefs in light pink uniforms and the Indians in hot pink. Before the game, both teams took part in a ceremony that honored those who are fighting the disease and remembered those who have passed. The teams also held a ticket raffle to help raise money for the cause. Basket prize winners were announced during half-time and after the game. Overall, the game was a complete success – for the Lady Chiefs and the breast cancer cause.