Souderton and Pennridge will both be in action in Tuesday’s PIAA 4A semifinals. Check back for game stories. (Souderton photo provided courtesy of Sharon Shipe Photography and Pennridge photo courtesy of Sharin Harbeck)
The SOL Continental Conference will be well represented in Tuesday’s PIAA 4A semifinals. Two of the four teams are not only from the same league but the same conference. Souderton, the District 1 runner-up, will take on District 7 runner-up Peters Township after sending home District 7 champion Seneca Valley in penalty kicks in Saturday’s quarterfinal round. Continental Conference champion Pennridge, the third place team out of District 1, will face District III’s third place squad, Ephrata, in the other semifinal. In Saturday’s quarterfinal action, the Rams defeated District 11 champion Parkland in penalty kicks after battling to a 2-2 tie after 110 minutes of action.
#1-3 PENNRIDGE vs. #3-3 EPHRATA (at West Chester East, Tuesday, 5 p.m.)
Pennridge
- 20-3-1 overall
- 9-2-1 SOL Continental Conference champion (third straight)
- Third seed entering the District 1 4A Tournament
- Returned nine of 11 starters from last year’s successful squad.
- Strong and deep midfield unit led by seniors Ashley Groeber and Nicolette Harrison and juniors Chance Hendricks and Maddie Anderson can control flow of game in both directions. Defensively sound and offensively capable group.
- Senior keeper Mary Kate Levush directs speedy back line featuring Sarah Williams, Molly Groff, Maddie Angelo, Holly Harbeck and Lauren McIntyre.
- Forward unit led by Abby Groff and Lindsey DeHaven with Leah Malone and McIntyre filling in as needed.
How they got here: In Saturday’s quarterfinal against District 11 champion Parkland, Pennridge rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to knot the score 2-2, going on to win 4-2 in penalty kicks when 110 minutes could not determine a winner. Ashley Groeber converted a penalty kick, and Lauren McIntyre scored the equalizer in regulation.
In an opening round game, Pennridge rolled to an 8-0 win over District 12 champion Central. Leah Malone and Liv Lowery each had a pair of goals while Lauren McIntylre, Abby Groff, Chance Hendricks and Brielle Tasher each added single goals.
Ephrata
- 21-3-1 overall
- 8-1-1 Lancaster Lebanon Section 2 second place
- Scored 66 goals and allowed 24
- Attack led by Pitt commit and 2017 LL Section 2 MVP Madison Root (24 g, 12 a)
- Abigail West (13 g, 6 a), and Reagan McCarty (6 g, 7 a) also contribute
- Goalkeeper Jocelyn Umana anchors a defense that boasts 11 shutouts
How they got here: In Saturday’s quarterfinal, Ephrata defeated #1-4 Penncrest 1-0. Maddie Root scored the game’s lone goal.
In an opening round game, Ephrata upset District I champion Conestoga 2-1. Maddie Root converted a penalty kick to knot the score 1-1, and Kristen Homan scored game-winner on a free kick.
#1-2 SOUDERTON vs. #7-2 PETERS TOWNSHIP (at Chambersburg High School, 4:30 p.m.)
Souderton
- 15-3-6 overall
- 5-2-5 SOL Continental Conference (tied for third place)
- Defense has been the calling card for an Indians’ squad that has 16 shutouts. Their back line is led by seniors Sam and Kailee Harwick, senior Miranda Kullman and junior Darby Kramer plus senior keeper Lindsey Pazdziorkio has allowed just 11 goals all season.
- Midfield paced by senior duo Campbell Power and Sara Readinger. Both are skilled in winning the ball but also providing attacking threats and goals.
- Forward unit anchored by sophomore Averie Doughty, sophomore Taylor Yoder, senior Erin O'Keefe and sophomore Hannah Alderfer.
How they got here: In Saturday’s quarterfinal, Souderton defeated District 7 champion Seneca Valley 4-3 in penalty kicks after the two teams battled to a 1-1 tie after regulation and two 15-minute overtime periods. Averie Doughty scored the Indians’ lone goal in regulation.
In Tuesday’s opening round game, Souderton defeated District 11 runner-up Easton 2-0. Sophomore Hannah Alderfer scored both goals.
Peters Township
- 18-4 overall
- 11-3 WPIAL 4A Section 2, shared regular season top spot with Upper St. Clair
- Lost to Seneca Valley 2-1 in WPIAL championship game
- Led by first team All-Section midfielders Bucknell commit Hannah Stuck and Natalie Daub.
- The Indians scored 80 goals and allowed 14 with 10 shutouts. Defense anchored by second team All-Section goalie Emma Sawich and second team All-Section defender Mia Gentile.
How they got here: In Saturday’s quarterfinal, Peters Township defeated District III champion Cumberland Valley 2-1. Freshmen Jillian Marvin and CeCe Scott each scored a goal.
In an opening round state game, Peters Township defeated District 10 champion McDowell 3-1. Sarah Heisinger scored a pair of goals and CeCe Scott added a single goal.
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