A new season produces a clean slate and a fresh start for everyone.

After having rough seasons last year, both the Pleasant Valley and Lehighton field hockey teams were certainly in need of this.

The two squads met for a Saturday matinee to begin their regular seasons, matching each other’s intensity.

A late goal from the Bears and a controversial finish allowed them to escape with a 1-0 victory.

The teams combined for eight wins last year, making this season’s debut crucial for both sides to get off to a good start.

Pleasant Valley proved to be quicker and more threatening in the early stages of the contest with more quality scoring chances, forcing Lehighton goalkeeper Lillian Klotz to keep her team from falling behind.

Out of the seven saves Klotz made, six of them came in the first half. While the Indians did press offensively, the Bears’ defense collapsed and disrupted Lehighton’s ability to execute on scoring chances.

Being outshot 7-1 after the first half, Tribe head coach Jen Lobasso was forced to change up her tactics to produce more offense and generate cleaner looks, even if it meant forcing her players into unfamiliar situations.

“We moved some people around, we took some risks and took some mids and links and moved them up to the forward line,” she said. “We cheated people downfield. It worked to generate a lot more offense for us, but those kids don’t typically practice there.”

Despite being forced out of their comfort zones, the strategy worked as Lehighton flipped the script in the second half, outshooting PV 6-1 only to be stonewalled by goalie Emi Stipeck with the help of an experienced defense.

“Last year we had no seniors,” said PV head coach Corin Owermohle. “So this defensive unit, they played together last year and they’re together this year. They were definitely tested heavily last year. So they’re ready to play, and they’re ready to defend.”

“It definitely is something that I just have to trust my instincts and know that even if I do mess up, my team has my back and just trusts each other as long as we stay calm and composed,” Stipeck said about her performance.

The Bears survived the opposing onslaught and caught the Indians off guard late in the fourth quarter to break the ice.

Emma DePalma found a wide open Sarah Chechel for a backdoor tap-in with 4:10 remaining.

With Lehighton needing to press for the tying score, it earned a corner as the clock ticked down to zero. On the ensuing play, a shot from distance sailed through a maze of players into the net, which appeared to tie the game. However, while the celebration was ongoing, the officials emphatically waved the goal off claiming it went off the foot of an Indian player.

The call gave Pleasant Valley the victory and left Tribe coach Lobasso frustrated, but also humble and optimistic about her team in defeat.

“Pleasant Valley did an excellent job,” she said. “I just want to commend Pleasant Valley for really shutting down a lot of what we had. I thought we did a lot of great things. I thought our mid game was really great, and I thought our transition up the field was really good. Obviously execution was a problem for us … and we have to work on that.”

With wins being difficult to come by last year, the Bears will certainly take the victory and look to use the game as a foundation to build on going forward. By winning their season opener, it has given players the belief that they can win, and the hope that they can continue to have success.

“We put a lot of extra workouts in during the summer, and we’ve put a lot of work in preseason the last two weeks and this victory means a lot for us,” said Chechel. “It sets the season for our team. I think we have many wins coming out of us.”

BUSY START … With the first game under their belts, both teams immediately have busy schedules during their first full week of the season. Pleasant Valley travels to PM West today, before hosting Bethlehem Catholic on Wednesday and Wallenpaupack on Friday. Lehighton gets an extra day off before heading to Wilson on Tuesday, and Moravian Academy on Thursday before wrapping up the week with another Saturday matinee at home against Pen Argyl.

Pleasant Vy. 1, Lehighton 0

Pleasant Valley 0 0 0 1 - 1

Lehighton 0 0 0 0 - 0

Goals: Pleasant Valley - Sarah Chechel 1; Lehighton - None; Assists: Pleasant Valley - Emma DePalma 1; Lehighton - None; Saves: Pleasant Valley - Emi Stipeck 7; Lehighton - Lillian Klotz - 7; Shots on goal: Pleasant Valley - 8; Lehighton - 7; Corners: Pleasant Valley - 5; Lehighton - 6.

Records: Pleasant Valley (1-0); Lehighton (0-1).