Neshaminy captured its first ever PIAA Class AAA state title, thanks to its dramatic 2-1 win in overtime over Spring-Ford Saturday at Hershey. To view photos of all the action, please visit the Photo Gallery.
By Ben Winderman
Dormant roller coasters loomed over the empty bleachers on the visitor’s side of Hersheypark Stadium: "Farenheit" leaned forward for a better view. White lights illuminated this championship setting: introductions, anthem, and another regular game. The 96th day of a campaign never to be forgotten by any of these wonderful players; complete with kisses, firetruck parades, pasta, passion, and prestige.
Both teams strike a beautiful contrast - Neshaminy in their traditional reds and Spring-Ford in their classy white kits. Each goalkeeper book shelving three distinguished district one referees, who like these teams, earned their way to Hershey. Theirs was the privilege to start this contest, and immediate action characterized the genesis of this game.
In the fifth minute, Neshaminy back Amy Heller drove a restart towards her favorite target, Megan Schafer, who separated herself from Spring-Ford's defense and redirected the service with her right laces past Rams’ keeper Jenna Griggs.
Skins fans’ erupted with joy, as the scoreboard shined a 1 next to the undefeated Skins.
"Amazing!" was the thought an elated Heller shared after the game, but in between Schafer's first goal and Amy Mandia's OT game winner, words like horrific, devastated, and brutal might be appropriate choices.
Vulnerable after their goal, Neshaminy fans witnessed their side cracked and scrambled. Spring-Ford's Kat Connelly slashed through the Redskin defense and found Aley Kate McKinley in the box. Neshaminy keeper McKenna Mullin stood on her head saving a goal but relinquishing a corner. This time McKinley bent a ball over Mullin, but it struck the far post and eventually went out for a six.
The Rams pinged passes through the midfield and began to make Neshaminy chase the ball. Ram back Laura Suero initiated battle with Schafer, whose injured back became visible to the crowd.
"I don't care if my back is broken," Schafer joked after the game, but during much of the match, the striker endured constant strain.
Tragedy, however, would strike Spring-Ford's side when its leading scorer, Megan Giannopoulos, went down with a severe injury. Her teammates huddled around her as she braced for the cart ride out of the stadium, and fans chanted the name of a player who obviously commands profound respect and love among the whole entire program. It was a sickening sight that sobered the moment and quieted the stadium.
As players from both teams broke their huddles and resumed their positions on the field, the game took on a grave maturity that shifted each parent's paradigm and grew the sacrifice each player/warrior was willing to make.
As the game progressed, the Rams showed the ability to stay with the Skins athletically and maybe surpass them at times in terms of ball movement. The turf was benefiting this first-touch team, and players like Brianna Cerino, Sarah Hancock, and Gabriella Vagnozzi found seams in the Neshaminy defense.
The Lady Skins began to assume the role of the counterattacking team, but clear looks at the Jenna Griggs goal were sparse.
Coach Rachel Clemens moved Maggie Daeche into a more traditional stopper position, which helped the Skins disrupt Spring-Ford's rhythm. Daeche continued to play like a master, although scarcely old enough to ride the coasters that loomed so near.
With six minutes remaining in the first half, Gabby Farrell took control. She stripped the ball from three Ram defenders and went to goal, only to be denied by the brilliance of Jenna Griggs.
Neshaminy followed with three Jess Kelly corner kicks that amounted to no goals but very important pressure. Both Kelly and Farrell seemed to draw on a reservoir of energy that was seemingly dry, but both players don't know how to give up or give in.
"The seniors are amazing," explained Farrell. “And when I thought about them, I just got pumped up even more!"
Kelly attributed the stamina to coach Clemens’ practices.
"I remember every jog sprint that we ever did,” Kelly said. “Every sprint is worth it - we condition a lot, and tonight it kept me going."
Kelly's partner in flank Katie Suchodolski agreed. "there's no easy outs, we put our bodies on the line, and set a fantastic example for future teams (Neshaminy) to follow."
The Redskins took their 1-0 lead into halftime.
As the second half progressed, Neshaminy’s Maggie Daeche started to use her long throw-in as a way to generate pressure. But for every attack Neshaminy also had to defend.
Spring-Ford's Sammy Stippa started to control the central midfield and apply pressure with the help of Sarah Hancock. Both teams traded several corner kicks, but the goalkeepers were huge, and finding the net remained elusive. Late in regulation, Neshaminy chose stall over attack, and the Rams responded ferociously.
In the 77th minute, Kat Connelly charged her team forward with great courage, slamming her face on the turf in the process, but eventually winning a corner kick. Aley Kate McKinley drove a rope into the box, and Sammy Stippa roofed it with her first touch to knot the score. As regulation ended, it appeared the Rams of Spring-Ford had the confidence.
A much needed break for both teams and then the deciding moments. No warmth was evident as the two captains met for the overtime coin toss. Ninety-six days, and this one should count for two.
The entire postseason Neshaminy has gotten strong play out of juniors Katie McCoy and Nicole Nisivoccia. Early in overtime McCoy stopped a Ram rush and Nisivoccia got forward with great enthusiasm. She was reckless and committed a foul but recovered with the kind of commitment that was so admirable and apparent for this whole Lady Skins team. The right back cleared a ball that went to Megan Schafer.
Number 18 turned and carried the ball with her signature style, finally playing Gabby Farrell on an overlap run. Farrell carried the ball deep into the box, waited for Griggs to commit and then slid a ball to a crashing Amy Mandia at the far post. Mandia finished the state championship run, the undefeated season, and the destiny these kids created.
Stephanie Donahue looked for her dad, Hal Heffelfinger - the District One soccer chairperson - hugged his beloved Skins, and Megan Schafer walked off the field with Rachel Clemens, "Sisters."
Spring-Ford 0-1-0 1
Neshaminy 1-0-1 2
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