Pennridge and Souderton advanced to Tuesday’s District One 4A semifinals and both squads punched their tickets to the state tournament.
#1-3 Pennridge 2, #1-6 Abington 1 (OT)
Late in regulation, Rams coach Audrey Anderson told freshman Leah Malone to warm up.
Malone hadn't played a minute in Saturday's quarterfinal against Abington, but the way the game was going, she was just the person the Rams needed. Anderson's version of a call to the bullpen worked as Malone scored a late equalizer and an overtime winner to send the Rams back to states.
"I've noticed throughout the season Leah can hold onto a ball, she can dribble and I've talked to her a couple times about doing all that work then not getting a shot off," Anderson said. "I felt like it was a moment for her to see she's valued and we trust she can get the job done. She made me look good."
The teams met a few weeks back and the Rams put Abington on its heels for much of a 5-2 loss. Saturday, in on and off rain and a strong jet of wind up the middle of the field, the Ghosts played much better.
Abington's defenders didn't panic against the pressure this time and, with the wind at their backs in the first half, helped get the ball pushed up the field.
"Elizabeth Tracey played forward but she did a lot of tracking back," Abington coach Rick Tompkins said. "Abby Bautista and Arianna Mancini were strong in the air and winning the ball."
Camryn Lexow authored another highlight late in the first half. The senior midfielder capped a run through the midfield by firing off a shot with a defender covering her that slotted past Rams’ keeper Mary Kate Levush and into the net with 12 minutes left.
"It was a tough game for us in terms of result, but a pretty well-played game by both teams," Tompkins said. "Pennridge is a good side. We were way more competitive this time than the last time, we handled their pressure much better. We made one mistake in the second half, it cost us and they got us in the overtime."
Pennridge did apply a ton of pressure in the second half and had the Ghosts pinned in their end for most of the 40 minutes but couldn't find a way to put a goal away. Abington keeper Ashley Hopper made seven saves and Tompkins cited her play along with the defenders.
On the other defensive end, the Rams did a solid job of playing with and against the elements while also keeping tabs on Abington's top threats. Center backs Molly Groff and Sarah Williams managed Casey Touey's opportunities while fullbacks Holly Harbeck and Maddie Angelo continued their solid run of play.
"We've been working a lot at practice on connecting with our midfield going to our forwards," Williams said. "We feel comfortable we don't have to kick it big every single time."
Malone made her entry with a little less than 10 minutes remaining. A quick restart off a throw-in led to her chance as the freshman anticipated the ball sailing past Abby Groff where she picked it up.
"It's helped me knowing I'm here for a reason," Malone said. "I don't want to disappoint them, so as long as I'm working as hard as I can, they're going to be proud of me. All the upperclassmen made it really easy to come in because they just put their trust in you."
Malone bagged the equalizer on a terrific finish with 3:23 left in the game. In the first overtime, Groff played a ball into space that the freshman was able to track down on a pretty similar run to her second half tally.
The forward saw Hopper coming off her line and managed to touch it by her before running into a defender, leaving her on the ground as she watched the ball roll in. Teammates swarmed around Malone, who left the field on the shoulders of several players.
"I turned around and saw her parents and, of course, they were super proud," Anderson said. "The way the girls rallied around her as a freshman shows what being part of this program really means. We don't care who is doing it as long as we're getting the job done. We talked about anticipating, moving before the ball is played and all these things so for her to mention that, it's sinking in. I'm really proud of her."
Saturday was the first time this season the Rams rallied from a deficit to win a match. For the seniors, who are in states for the second time in three seasons, it was the kind of effort they've become used to.
"We've been in this situation when us seniors were sophomores," Williams said. "We knew we had to do whatever it took to win this game. With the conditions, the wind, the rain, Aud told us it's windy and rainy for them too so we just had to do whatever it took to win."
Pennridge (17-2-1, 9-2-1 SOL) will travel to No. 2 Conestoga in Tuesday's semifinal round.
Abington (16-4, 13-1) will host No. 7 Pennsbury in a playback game with the winner clinching a state playoff bid as District I will send six teams this year.
PENNRIDGE 0 1 1 – 2
ABINGTON 1 0 0 – 1
Goals: P – Leah Malone 2; A – Camryn Lexow
Souderton 1, Haverford 0
Erin O'Keefe didn't know quite how the ball got to her foot.
Everyone in the stadium was left trying to figure out how she did what she did next. The senior put on a clinic, dribbling, cutting and weaving her way through Haverford's stout backline before putting away the only goal in the Indians' win Saturday night.
"I'm not sure how I got the ball, but once I did, I dribbled around two players and saw I had one player and the goalie left," O'Keefe said. "She was giving me some space, I took a touch around her and the goalie was coming out, so I just chipped it past her."
In a game played in a steady rain where wind was a factor, the Indians used it to their advantage in the first half, then hung on defensively in the second half.
No. 8 Souderton also held off its second straight upset-minded opponent. After topping No. 24 Harriton 1-0 in the second round, they turned aside the No. 17 Fords and will face No. 20 Penncrest Tuesday in the semifinals.
"In the second half, we struggled with getting the ball to our feet and keeping it up top," O'Keefe said. "With the wind, they were just kicking it long. When we had the ball at our feet, we could dribble around and pass it."
Luckily for the Indians, they've been in plenty of close games this season. They even knew their opponent well on Saturday, having played the Fords to a 0-0 draw in the regular season.
"This was a really tough game for us actually, but we managed to pull through," senior defender Kailee Harwick said. "We managed to stay composed in the back."
Senior keeper Lindsey Pazdziorko barely saw the ball in the first half, but she was extra busy after the break.
"It was a lot of communication and keeping our bodies behind the ball," Pazdziorko said. "We just remembered our basics and didn't get too flustered with them coming back."
Harwick, who along with sister Sam, Miranda Kullman and Darby Kramer make up the back line, noted the physicality and tension in the outcome felt like an SOL Continental match, especially like playing Central Bucks South. Pazdziorko concurred, and added that she felt the Indians' tests during conference play made an impact on Saturday.
"We're in one of the hardest leagues in the state, so being in that kind of situation before coming into districts play, I don't want to say it's easier, but in a way it is easier because you know what to expect," Pazdziorko said. "We knew coming in we couldn't overthink or say we'd already won it. We needed to treat it like there's no rankings anymore, they upset two teams before and quite possibly could have upset us but we were not going to let that happen."
After Pazdziorko and her defenders made their stand, the midfield regained some control and the attack put a wave of pressure on over the final 10 minutes to help close the game out. Fords keeper Alison Dufree was stellar herself, making sure her team had a chance down to the final whistle.
For Souderton's senior class, the win clinched their first trip to the state playoffs and the first for the program in over a decade. The Indians have made the district playoffs all four years with this class, but lost in the quarterfinals last year before bowing out of the playback bracket.
"I feel like we're a lot closer as a team and we're working a lot more on that family aspect of it and trusting and motivating each other to do better," Pazdziorko said. "I'm just so proud of the girls."
Souderton (12-2-6, 5-2-5 SOL) will host No. 20 Penncrest, a 1-0 winner over No. 5 Downingtown East, on Tuesday in the semifinals.
SOUDERTON 1 0 – 1
HAVERFORD 0 0 – 0
Conestoga 3, Pennsbury 1
The Falcons ran into a bit of a buzzsaw Saturday afternoon.
"It was not our best game," Pennsbury coach Kaitlyn Battiste said. "Conestoga has great off-ball movement and we let them dictate play. I'm thankful for the opportunity to regroup and learn from today."
The Pioneers built a 3-0 lead at the half and controlled the rest of the game despite Christine Cataldo-Smith netting her 21st goal of the season in the 78th minute.
"Sophomore Emily Welsh had a great game for us. We threw her in during the second half and she gave us great possession," Battiste said. "Seniors Ella Palmieri and Kasey Kowal never stopped battling."
The No. 7 Falcons (16-3-1, 10-1-1 SOL) will have another chance to extend their season when they visit No. 6 Abington on Tuesday. Whoever wins will then play in the 5-6 seeding game while the loser's season ends.
It will be the first meeting of the old SOL National rivals this fall after Abington changed leagues.
"We know 2017 Abington but they've given us fits in recent years," Battiste said. "We need to learn from today if we have any expectations of advancing. There are no handouts."
CONESTOGA 3 0 – 3
PENNSBURY 0 1 – 1
Goals: P – Christine Cataldo-Smith
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