The update describes a meeting between two of the division’s leading teams, with Faith Heritage bringing a dangerous attacking partnership. Francesca and Alaina Peplinski had been producing heavily, but Manlius Pebble Hill’s defence limited the Saints to one goal.
Goalkeeper Harper Stewart appears to have played a central role, particularly when Faith Heritage applied pressure through direct deliveries.
“They had a couple direct kicks in her defensive third and she was able to stop those, no problem,” Blanford said of Stewart. “She was really aggressive on the ball. She was coming off of her line really well.”
That willingness to leave her line gave MPH greater control in a match where small moments carried major importance.
Temes reportedly opened the scoring before Peplinski brought Faith Heritage level. Dussing then converted a second-half penalty, putting the Trojans ahead for good as the Saints were unable to find another equaliser.
For a young squad blending senior leaders, sophomores and emerging eighth-grade players, the result represents another test passed. Blanford’s description of the group as “a big sister club” underlines the togetherness she believes has helped MPH handle difficult games.
Faith Heritage are next reported to travel to Altmar-Parish-Williamstown, while Manlius Pebble Hill face an even sterner assignment away to unbeaten Bishop Ludden-Grimes.
The Trojans were shut out in both meetings between the teams last season, making the next fixture an early measure of whether this winning run can develop into a genuine challenge for conference supremacy.