NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ- New Providence Pioneers sophomore Kaitlyn Cumiskey came into Friday’s game leading her team in scoring with 15 goals on the season. When her team was in the middle of a back-and-forth game with the Watchung Hills Regional Warriors, she stepped up in situations when her team needed her the most.
Having already scored six goals (five in the first half), her team trailed 13-12 and were in danger of dropping their third straight game. Cumiskey made sure that wouldn’t happen. Her game-tying goal with 3:27 left in the second half knotted the score at 13-13, forcing overtime. Following a win off a faceoff to begin it, her teammates raced in the Warriors zone, determined to end the game on their home turf.
After receiving the ball with a screen on the play, Cumiskey banked home the game-winning goal 26 seconds into overtime to lift the Pioneers to a 14-13 win over the Warriors.
“It feels great. We were leading by a few and felt comfortable,” Cumiskey said of the second half. “We had our confidence and [Watchung Hills] fought back and the intensity got really crazy.”
“We had a couple of timeouts where Coach [Henry] reassured us and gave us that confidence,” Cumiskey said. “We went back out there and went for the win and that’s what we got.”
The assist went to New Providence senior Elena DelDuca, who made a key pass to secure the victory. She also scored a goal on the afternoon.
“Whenever I get the ball, I usually go behind goal,” DelDuca said. “I gave Kaitlyn a little signal to cut in. As soon as she cut in, I knew we had it.”
In addition to her eight goals, Cumiskey also tallied one assist, giving her nine points on the afternoon. She now has 23 goals and eight assists, adding up to 31 total points on the season, receiving praise for her work on the field.
“She’s so comfortable and confident and I think that helps the entire team,” New Providence head coach Jennifer Henry said. “Whether she’s assisting or they’re assisting to her, they all work well. She’s a great leader to have out there, working towards the goal [and] winning it.”
Full Coverage of New Providence’s Thrilling Overtime Win Over Watchung Hills HS Here
