Both the Notre Dame and Allentown field hockey teams were pushed to the limit in their semifinal games of the CVC Championships, and heading to the championship game each have something more to prove. The two square off on the turf at Hightstown High on Saturday at noon to determine the best in the conference and pick up some deserving bragging rights. The top-seeded Irish (13-1) advanced with a 5-4 win in overtime against No. 4 Lawrence, while No. 2 Allentown (13-4) squeezed by No. 3 Hopewell Valley, 3-2. “We want to show we were deserving of the top seed,’’ said ND coach Cheryl Harris. “I think some feel that we don’t belong here, so we have something to prove.’’ The Irish, winners of seven straight, have handled every other CVC team this season, including Allentown (4-3), and they have done it with a steady attack and an unwavering defense. The offense averages nearly five goals a game and the defense has five shutouts during this streak. The Redbirds remember that one-goal loss to the Irish a month ago as ND ruined their senior night. “Our loss to them on Senior Night wasn’t pretty and it hurt,’’ said Allentown’s leading scorer, Ella Sluder. “We are going to bring our all and we are thirsty to win.’’ Allentown played some tough competition this year to be ready come tourney time and this will be a good test of that strategy. Like the Irish, the Redbirds average nearly five goals a game and the defense has been a bend, but don’t break group that seems to rise to the occasion. It was a key defensive save by Emma Dombrowski that preserved the win over Hopewell Valley in the semifinal. “That was the play of the game, for sure,’’ said Allentown coach Kayla Peterson, of Dombrowski’s heroics. Both teams have great leadership, and for the seniors on each team the game takes a little extra meaning. “It’s surreal and I’m so excited to be going to the finals,’’ said Emma McVey, who had a hat trick in the win over Lawrence, including the game winner in overtime. “It’s great to be going to the finals with our seniors and I want to win it for them.’’ Senior Ellie Marrone leads the Irish with 21 goals and 12 assists, McVey, a junior, has 15 goals and five assists, sophomore Victoria Suschke has seven goals and eight assists and junior Clementine Bowden six goals and eight assists. Three seniors that have played key roles are Marie Conway with 10 assists, Elena Ruppersberger just scores goals when the Irish need it most and Adriana Tattoli has stepped in goal and been superb. Some seniors that have excelled for the Redbirds have been Dombrowski on defense, Hailee Ladu with eight goals, Janeen Rukab has been solid down the stretch with nine goals and goalie Kylie Elefante, who is the Allentown All-time leader in saves has such an impact on the game. Allentown also has a strong junior class led by Sluder with 24 goals and 10 assists, Avery Gower has eight goals and nine assists, Kelsey Loughlin has eight goals and three assists and Marleigh White has three goals and four assists. Both teams have plenty of firepower and the defense has been solid, it could come down to which one is most effective on penalty corners. It definitely will be some exciting hockey.