In league playoffs, when the stakes are high, decisions made by referees are often under a microscope. This was the case Saturday during the Lancaster-Lebanon League field hockey quarterfinals at Penn Manor when both games saw contested calls that had the potential to determine the outcome of the game.

 

When the dust settled, Donegal downed Cocalico 4-1 and Hempfield topped Ephrata 3-0.

 

For the Mounts, a scoreless match turned controversial when Hempfield goalie Hollyn Barr came out of the cage to defend a one-on-one breakaway. When Barr slid to stop the ball, knocking over the Ephrata offensive player, the official called a penalty stroke, which was followed by a barrage of protests from the Hempfield coaches.

 

"I understand what the official was looking at, but it was a byproduct of the goalkeeper stepping up," said Knight head coach Julianne Bojanic-Collier. "She made an excellent clear - kicks out and slides to the ground."

 

After a consultation with the other official, the call was changed to a penalty corner for the Mountaineers (13-6), which Bojanic-Collier said shouldn't have been called as well.

 

"It was still scoreless at that time and could have affected the game," she said. "It was an important time to voice an opinion."

 

Fortunately the call did not change the outcome of the game as Hempfield defended the two subsequent corners and went on to score three unanswered goals.

 

Freshman Taylor Nolan knocked in two of Hempfield's goals. "She definitely gets into the plays," Bojanic-Collier added. "She's in there looking for the tip. She does a great job along with Sarah (Helgeson) who had a goal and an assist."

 

Bojanic-Collier also gave credit to defensive players Kelsie Ashley and Sara Brooks, who she said "are consistent and dependable in the back field."