CB South Takes on Penn Manor in State Semis

Central Bucks South will face Penn Manor in a PIAA Class AAA semifinal game on Tuesday night at Tulpehocken High School.

Emily Cliggett is a goal scorer who can create havoc for opponents, but it is the Central Bucks South senior’s competitive drive that sets her apart.

“She has a very competitive attitude that I love,” coach Brittany Grzywacz said. “She brings that to practice every day, and she brings that to games every day.

“She’s very demanding of her teammates – she’s going to make sure everyone is playing to the best of their ability, and that’s a great leadership quality she has, especially as a captain.”

Cliggett and fellow captain Corrine Kenney have been the catalysts for a district runner-up Titan squad that reached unexpected heights during a season of transition.

When teams look to take Kenney – the team’s field general at center mid – out of the game, Cliggett has stepped up.

“She works well when Corrine is getting shut down,” Grzywacz said. “She’s able to make those plays in the midfield and be that distributor when she needs to. She also recognizes when she has room and can carry the ball. With her speed, she can blow by defenders at times.

“In the Mount game (a 2-0 win), they man-marked Corrine and almost double teamed her at times. It opens up Emily, and she’s able to make the plays when Corrine gets shut down.”

During the regular season, Cliggett – who will be taking her talents to Villanova University next year – was the Titans’ top scorer.

“She’s really been effective at getting shots off in regular play, rather than on corners,” Grzywacz said. “She’s really good at carrying the ball, and once she gets inside the circle, she’s going to look to rip a shot from whatever angle she can. That’s how she’s been effective in scoring.”

Cliggett makes the insert pass on corners that have been money for the Titans this season.

“I don’t know if she’d ever actually done that before,” Grzywacz said. “She’s good at it, and she’s great to have that option (on the post), and she’s still involved in some of the corners after the insert is made.

“It’s not like she’s just hitting it and being ineffective in the circle after she makes the insert. She’s still a dangerous part of our corner plays.”

Cliggett and Kenney have been the Titans’ version of fire and ice.

“They work really well together in the center of the field,” Grzywacz said. “Once Emily gets fired up, she’s competitive – don’t get in my way. Sometimes I have to tell her to relax – these are your teammates. Her competitive spirit is unreal.”

And the Titans' first-year coach, for one, understands just how important that has been in her team's remarkable journey this season.

#1-2 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH vs. #3-3 PENN MANOR (at Tulpehocken High School, 7 p.m.)

Central Bucks South

21-3 overall
14-0 SOL Continental Conference champions
Eighth consecutive conference crown for program
17-game winning streak halted in District One AAA title game loss to top-seeded Unionville.
Last trip to state semifinals in 2009 when the Titans lost to Hershey 2-1 in overtime.

How they got here:

In Saturday’s quarterfinal round, the Titans opened up a 2-0 lead over Downingtown East before the Cougars scored a late goal. Scoring goals for the Titans were Lauren Zakrewski and Corrine Kenney. Both came during corner play.
The Titans rebounded from their loss to Unionville in the district title game to edge District 11 runner-up Stroudsburg 2-1 in an opening round state game. The Titans fell behind 1-0 early but then dominated play. With 8:06 remaining, Corrine Kenney scored on a corner shot, using an Emily Cliggett assist, and the Titans won it early in OT on a goal by Kenney during the team’s 26^th corner.
The Titans fell to Unionville 3-1 in the District One AAA title game after notching district wins over sixth-seeded Council Rock North (1-0), 7^th-seeded Phoenixville (4-2) and 18^th-seeded Mount St. Joseph (2-0).

Penn Manor

23-4
13-1 Lancaster-Lebanon Section 1 champions
Fourth-seeded team in the District 3 Tournament.
Led by Cassie Kline (44 points – 18 goals, 8 assists), Brionna Kline (35 points – 16 goals, 3 assists), Emily Robb (26 points – 9 goals, 8 assists), Brooke DeBerdine (25 points – 10 goals, 5 assists) and Hannah Brown (20 points – 9 goals, 2 assists).

How they got here:

In Saturday’s quarterfinal round, the Comets upset defending state champion Lower Dauphin 1-0. Brionna Kline scored the game’s lone goal with 4:42 remaining in the opening half. It was the Comets’ lone shot of a game that saw Lower Dauphin hold an advantage in corners (18-9) and shots (5-1). Entering Saturday’s quarterfinal game, Lower Dauphin had defeated Penn Manor in four of their last five meetings.
Defeated District 7 champion North Allegheny 2-1. Brooke DeBerdine scored both of her team’s goals in a game that saw the Comets – who held an 18-4 advantage in corners – take a 1-0 lead into halftime. They opened up a 2-0 lead before North Allegheny scored a late goal.
After falling to Lower Dauphin 2-0 in the District 3 semifinals, the fourth-seeded Comets defeated third-seeded Cumberland Valley 2-1 in the third place game. In district play, the Comets earned wins over 12^th-seeded Central York (5-0) and 13^th-seeded Governor Mifflin (3-0).