Morris makes moves as Susquehannock goal scorer, leader
Brooke Morris and the rest of her Susquehannock High School teammates were frustrated at the beginning of the season. The Warriors were struggling to find the back of the net, and thus struggling to pick up wins.
But those early struggles were a learning lesson for the young team, and set the stage for a very quick turnaround.
“I remember our fifth game after we lost four times in a row,” said Morris, who is one of only four seniors on this year’s squad. “I kind of talked to my team and I was like, 'we’re frustrated.' I see that, so if we want to feel the same way we’ve been feeling we kind of need to step it up.
“Because in the first four games we proved that we need to work on things and just come back stronger. And that’s what we’ve done.”
The Warriors found their scoring touch in the fifth game of the year against Spring Grove. Morris netted the only two goals of the game and kick-started a nine-game run that saw Susquehannock outscore its opponents 53-5.
Morris has been a big part of the Warriors scoring surge this season, scoring two or more goals in a game seven times. The Warriors’ senior was on a nine game scoring streak before Thursday's loss to Bermudian Springs, and put up back-to-back four-goal performances at the end of September.
“She’s on fire,” Susquehannock head coach Tracey Kerr said. “Brooke has been that leader and she now likes to score. And I think she figured out what to do in the goal cage when she’s down in the circle.”
Morris has worked on getting better first touches on the ball and that has helped her find the back of the net more, she said. Morris, who has scored 24 goals this season, has also adapted more to her leadership role as a captain.
The Warriors graduated nine of their 11 starters from last season and Morris understands the role she needs to play for the team to be successful.
“I just kind of point (my teammates) in the right direction,” Morris said. “Show them the right things to do. Try to lead them in the way to win.”
And win is something the Warriors have done a lot of lately. Susquehannock remains undefeated in divisional play with three league games left on the calendar. Standing at 10-5 overall and 9-2 in YAIAA Division II play, the team hosts a strong New Oxford club Tuesday at 4:15 p.m.
With that being said, the Warriors already locked up the Division II title and sealed a trip to the league tournament, which is clearly a good feeling for Morris and company.
“Looking at the new division, I was hoping we would be OK with the new division lineup,” Kerr said. “I had hopes that we would do OK and they’ve all stepped up, which is exciting.”
Tuesday's game
Who: New Oxford (11-2 overall, 9-2 in YAIAA Division I) at Susquehannock (10-5 overall, 9-2 in YAIAA Division II)
What: YAIAA field hockey game
Where: Susquehannock High School
When: 4:15 p.m.
More coverage: Click here for this week's YAIAA sports schedule