After looking for someone on the field hockey team to provide a spark, the Whitehall players responded with seven goals last Friday in a win over Bethlehem Catholic.

The Zephyrs scored off corners, on tipped shots in front of the net, and blasts from the top of the circle as they were relentless in the offensive zone, defeating the visiting Golden Hawks 7-1 to raise their record to 4-4-1 this season.

It was the type of performance that head coach Jennifer Bodnar was looking for from her young squad.

“I was really proud of their effort,” said Bodnar. “I truly believe we have a lot of offensive threats, and I think that today we exposed that.”

That offensive surge was led by Kate Bonshak who had a hat trick, but a number of other players tallied goals, including Caitlin Cunningham and Kassidy Cunningham, giving them a well-rounded attack.

“When that happens in the score book, that’s kind of neat to see, and makes me excited and proud of the girls,” said Bodnar.

Senior Morgan Anderson said that the turnaround was due in large part in getting their passing together. That’s been especially true during scoring chances.

“We tried to stop shooting at the goalie where we would hit the pads and try for the rebound, but now we’re trying to pass it out to the two girls on the end and get better opportunities,” said Anderson.

Anderson said that you constantly have to practice that aspect of the game until it becomes automatic. She said that a lot of players will shoot the ball and hope someone touches it, but a pass on the stick just takes a little bump to get it in the cage.

Anderson did a good job of crossing the ball in front of the cage against the Hawks. One of her crossing passes wound up getting trapped by an opponent’s body after a shot on goal, leading to a penalty stroke which was converted by Emily Wells who lofted a pretty shot over the goalie’s left shoulder for their last goal.

Anderson’s also responsible for getting to the far post when the ball is on the opposite side of the field.

“My job is to get my stick down to hopefully receive it on my stick, and then be able to roll it into the cage,” said Anderson.

She said that when she has the ball while in the middle of the field, her job is to pass it to the other post.

Bodnar applauded Anderson’s effort against the Hawks as she kept initiating the attack in the offensive zone.

“She doesn’t give up,” said Bodnar. “She has a very strong work ethic, and the girls voted her one of the team’s co-captains based on her work ethic, and based on everything she does for her team in and out, and when she gets the ball on her stick she makes the smart play and puts the ball where it needs to be.”

Bodnar said that she extended the field for them on offense, and kept setting up their offense throughout the game.

In order to sustain the same level of play they exhibited against the Hawks, Anderson said that confidence plays a big role.

“I think we need to keep trusting each other and have confidence in our own skills to be able to get it up the field,” said Anderson.

Bondar said that they must keep getting better. She was really proud of the way the defense played, including Hallie Kern, Joyce Lu, Sarah Jones and Rachel Sottolano.

“Our whole defense from the beginning of the season until now is tremendously better,” said Bodnar. “I think that every game they’re gaining confidence, and I think that a game like this can give them a little breathing room and they can stop worrying about what-ifs and mistakes, and start getting confidence when they play, and you can see that when they start stepping up to the ball.”

Bondar said they need to continue to do that as the season progresses.