CB West and Neshaminy advanced to Friday’s District One AAA quarterfinals.
#1 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 4, #14 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0
Fourteen days after being extended to the limit by the Patriots in a 2-1 win, the Bucks jumped out to an early lead in Thursday’s second round district game and never looking back on their way to the convincing win.
“This was the most fun I’ve had all season playing this game,” senior captain Emily Halderson said. “I think we were really motivated to come out to play today, especially because East is such a competitive team, no matter what day you play them.
“The past two times we played them – even though we won, they’ve been close games. It was really important to win this game to move forward in the playoffs.”
Halderson – a stalwart defender – was an unlikely offensive hero for the Bucks, scoring a pair of goals during corner play and doubling her goal output for the entire season in a 10-minute span that ultimately determined the outcome of the game.
“We did start out very strong, but after I scored, we became even more determined to score more goals, which is what you have to do as a team,” Halderson said. “Honestly, I couldn’t do it without my team. It’s just an amazing feeling.”
Halderson’s first goal came at the 27:41 mark of the first half on her team’s first corner – the third in a sequence of three shots.
“Rebounds are really important,” Halderson said. “I know from experience as a defender.
“You’re not expecting people to come up, and you’re pressuring on one side. As soon as it comes off, you think you’ve cleared it out. Those are times that are really important when you’re on offense because the defense is not as prepared since they’re recovering and sprinting to change sides. I saw the open space, and I ran to it. It just happened to work out.”
The Bucks drew their first corner after Bryn Boylan broke out of West’s defensive end and carried the ball into the circle.
“We’re a transition team, especially with those counterattacks,” West coach Courtney Lepping said. “That drives our team – those counterattacks.
“Once we saw Bryn take off on that, it fueled the rest of the game. We had so much time off, and we got to really focus on corners, and that played itself out on those first couple of goals. When you take the time to prepare and then you execute, that sets up the momentum as well.”
At the 18:33 mark, Halderson took a pass from Boylan at the top of the circle, and after a stop of her initial shot, found the cage with her second to put the Bucks on top 2-0.
“They picked up the momentum,” East coach Michelle Finegan said. “We tried to clear the ball out of the circle a few times. It wasn’t the first shot, and I think we anticipated we were going to get it out.”
East mounted some pressure, but it was the Bucks scoring on a highlight reel two-on-one when Cadera Smith, who was carrying the ball down the right side, drew the defender and then passed to a wide open Taylor Mason for the finish and a 3-0 lead.
“I was really pleased with our passing the entire game,” Lepping said. “There were so many nice sequences that reminded me of games early in the season when we really had our passing on, and I think that set the tone.”
The Patriots drew a pair of corners with five minutes remaining in the half, but the Bucks’ corner defense broke up both. Back-to-back shots by the Patriots were turned away by Courtney Westover, who had a little added incentive.
“I really wanted a shutout – my mom promised me sushi if I got a shutout,” said the Bucks’ senior goalie, who was credited with five saves.
East mounted some pressure in the second half. On the Patriots’ second corner and final corner of the half, Westover stopped a shot by sophomore Riley Donnelly. Smith put an exclamation point on the Bucks’ win, dribbling by several defenders and connecting on a reverse stick goal for the 4-0 final.
The Patriots – making an appearance in districts for the first time since 2010 – closed out a remarkable season with a 15-5 record (14-4 overall).
“I’m really, really proud of them,” Finegan said. “We had great team members stepping up when we needed them. Overall, they played well all season.”
Central Bucks West (19-0, 14-0 SOL) will be back in action on Friday at 5 p.m. when the Bucks will host 11th-seeded Mount St. Joseph in a quarterfinal game. The Magic upset third-seeded Downingtown West 2-0.
“I’m hoping this high intensity just carries over to tomorrow because that’s really what’s going to help us in the end,” Halderson said.
Central Bucks East 0-0 0
Central Bucks West 3-1 4
#3 NESHAMINY 2, #13 WEST CHESTER HENDERSON 0
The Redskins scored twice in the first half – both on corners – to take a 2-0 lead that would stand the rest of the way.
“Since this was our first district game, we definitely wanted to come out with a bang,” coach Caitlin Koczynski said. “We took that into the second half, and we knew we couldn’t let down.
“Every team at this point is so good, so we knew we had to finish out the game strong.”
Abby Geisler (Mia Sexton assist) scored just over seven minutes into the game to spot the Redskins an early lead.
“Scoring early is huge, especially because it’s a playoff game, and it’s one-and-done,” Abby Bedesem said. “It’s definitely a good feeling to get a goal early.”
With 5:08 remaining in the half, Amanda Blum turned a pass from Marlena Koellner into a goal and a 2-0 Redskin lead.
The Redskins, who held a 10-4 advantage in shots, controlled play with a standout effort that – according to Koczynski – was spearheaded by the defense. Comprising that defensive unit were Amanda Blum, Elena Donato, Gianna Arena and Abby Bedesem.
“Our defense really stepped up big this game, and our corner defense was on point,” the Redskins’ coach said of a group that included Koellner, Blum, Donato, Emily Alexis and goalie Haille Sheppard. “West Chester Henderson was very skilled, and they were fast.
“It was our first game after having that bye, so we wanted to make sure that it wasn’t our last.”
The Redskins found themselves in the unusual position of playing their home district game on the turf at Council Rock North since their grass field was unplayable after Wednesday’s rain.
If it was difficult to adjust to the change in surface, the Redskins certainly didn’t let it show.
“They definitely were fast, and they were a lot faster than we’re used to on grass,” Bedesem said. “I think the big thing today was just really recovering and the way our whole team works to get the ball out together.
“We don’t really panic a lot, and a lot of us back there aren’t used to playing on turf, so that’s kind of an adjustment, but the girls really help us and pick us up. Recovering is big because the game is a lot faster on turf.”
Neshaminy (18-1, 14-0 SOL) will host fifth-seeded Conestoga – a 4-1 winner over Haverford Thursday – in a quarterfinal game on Friday.
“I don’t think it hurts us because we do have a lot of momentum heading into tomorrow, and I think we’re very excited,” Bedesem said. “It’s always good to get practice in, but with the kind of energy we have, it’s kind of nice that we play tomorrow too.”
West Chester Henderson 0-0 0
Neshaminy 2-0 2
#2 DOWNINGTOWN EAST 4, #18 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0
Kallie Gray scored a pair of goals in the first half – both within a one-minute span just over eight minutes into the game – to send the Cougars into halftime with a 2-0 lead. They added a pair in the second half to earn the shutout win.
The Cougars held a 17-5 advantage in shots. Rock South goalie Julie Pero was credited with 14 saves.
Council Rock South closed out its season with a 13-7 record overall.
Council Rock South 0-0 0
Downingtown East 2-2 4
#7 METHACTON 7, #10 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 1
District One Class AA
#4 GWYNEDD MERCY 4, #5 UPPER MORELAND 0
Megan DuVernois – bound for the University of North Carolina – put the Monarchs on the board midway through the first half, using a Kaitlin McCauley assist. Six minutes later, McCauley scored (DuVernois assist) to send the Monarchs into halftime with a 2-0 lead. The Monarchs had nine corners in the opening half.
A pair of Hailey Durkin goals – the second with a Colleen Osborne assist – gave the Monarchs their final margin of victory.
“Gwynedd-Mercy played a great game,” UM coach Karen Grossi said. “Their stick-to-stick passing to the open girl, speed, and ability to immediately double- and triple-team Upper Moreland caught us off-guard.
“The first half was very lopsided in that it was very defensive for us – we only brought the ball over midfield a handful of times. Fortunately, we came out stronger during the second half and played a competitive last 15 minutes. We earned three offensive corners compared to Gwynedd-Mercy's one offensive corner during the second half – much of the second half was played in the midfield.”
Despite the outcome, Grossi was pleased with aspects of her team’s game.
“Our defense played extremely well,” Grossi said. “Allison Felicetti made 10 spectacular saves in the cage, diving/going to the ground when necessary and popping right back up.
“Kylee Bowman, Emily Keene, and Chloe Tice (our three backs) played strong defensively, denying many shots. Our attack struggled to gain possession in our offensive end until our defenders started carrying the ball and making smart passes to the attackers.
“Center midfielder, Emily Jeinnings was a standout the entire game. She caused numerous turnovers in the defensive circle, cut onto and intercepted many Gwynedd-Mercy passes, and started most of our offensive opportunities.”
Upper Moreland closed out its season with 13-7 record.
Upper Moreland 0-0 0
Gwynedd Mercy 2-2 4
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