Pennsbury and Central Bucks East advanced to Saturday’s District One AAA title game. To view photos of the Pennsbury/CB West and CB East/CR South games, please visit the Photo Gallery.
#1 PENNSBURY 1, #13 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0 (OT)
By: Ben Winderman
The undefeated Pennsbury Falcons flew over a rugged and unforgiving CB West Landscape Thursday night, finally reaching a triumphant perch of victory when junior Jadyn Peto score the game’s only goal nearly five minutes into extra time. A feather in in her cap worth keeping, Peto’s game winner was the culmination of the Falcons’ propensity to attack from their right flank; a searching cross from midfielder Riley Rudd, a deceptive dummy by Kelly Amador, and a high class finish by Pennsbury’s #8, Peto, which concluded a tremendous game by both soccer flocks.
Quickly, both coaches had their teams huddled close, clearly congratulating each of their players for the collective effort and courage demonstrated throughout the night.
“CB West had more play, in terms of possession in the first half,” explained Pennsbury coach Kaitlyn Battiste. “In the second half, we needed to be that first-seeded team.”
Battiste – who led her squad to their 18th win of the season, a berth in states, and now the District One finals – praised her players for their composure and their ability to connect play with one and two touch passes, but the Falcons’ coach emphasized the consistently strong performance of her backs and applauded her midfielders for their willingness to effectively collapse upon opponent’s attackers.
“Amy Blazejewski, Rachel Beri, and Karina Raykova deserve a lot of credit,” Battiste said. “Shae (McCarty) is a really good forward, and all year our backs have defended together against players who have the ability to score.”
In Saturday night’s district final, Pennsbury will do its best to contain CB East’s #8 (Emma Loving), and the Falcon backs will again need the help of their midfielders, attackers, goalkeeper, and their frenzied feathered fans to stop another really good forward.
Although the Bucks did generate opportunities and apply pressure in the first half, it was Pennsbury that created the game’s first real chance. Midfielder Caroline Foley broke into West’s box from the right side, but her hard angled shot struck high off the outside of the near post, and from that point until OT, Buck goalkeeper Grace Bendon dominated play.
“Tonight was her season’s best performance,” applauded West coach Jorge Rodriguez.
Bendon, who will transform into another bird of prey when she takes the field as a St. Joseph’s Hawk next season, was sensational throughout the match, making saves that ranged from routine to ridiculous, controlling rebounds, communicating like a coach, and commanding her space with extraordinary grace.
For any soccer fan who has not had the pleasure catch this keeper in action, shoot for Saturday night when the Bucks face Council South (at Council Rock North) for third place in District One.
You will see Bendon’s athleticism as a shot-stopper, her vision in distribution, and West’s willingness to attack as the senior goalie strikes restarts from her own six-yarders to well inside Council Rock’s turf.
Coach Rodriguez praised his entire team and applauded their discipline throughout a difficult game.
“They (Pennsbury) had capable players all over the field,” Rodriguez observed, “and I thought our girls really stuck to the game plan and anticipated very well.”
West’s best opportunity to score came midway through the first half as forward Jillian Nolan angled a run towards the Falcons’ 18 and shielded Pennsbury’s defender from a crossed ball.
Controlling the ball efficiently, Nolan broke in on Pennsbury’s GK Kayla Kunde whose brave challenge paid off for the Falcons. Nolan’s shot deflected off Kunde’s cleats and out for a West throw-in.
“That was probably our best chance,” Rodriguez smiled.
Deadlocked at zero, players and fans began to anticipate the possibility of PK’s, a scenario that West would have welcomed.
“I liked the lineup of shooters we’d decided upon,” nodded West’s coach, “and the way we were playing really limited their (Pennsbury’s) looks.”
Rodriguez was referring to the savvy and smarts of backs Mackenzie Carroll and Ellie Manca, the speed and skill of Shae McCarty and Mary Kate Vinkler, the ball winning toughness of Sophie McKnight in the middle, and the seamless performance of left Bucks back Carmen Telesco.
West’s #14 (Telesco) was consistently matched up against Pennsbury’s #11, Uche Onuoha, whose acceleration and aggression juxtaposed with her skill and deception make her not only a challenging mark, but also a relentless target and/or decoy. Telesco and Onuoha battled throughout regulation; both players refused to retreat. Unfortunately for the Bucks, Telesco suffered an injury with only minutes remaining, and although she was desperate to return, her coach decided she was too valuable to risk.
West’s Devin Dickinson did an excellent job replacing Telesco, but Pennsbury’s possession increased, and along with it, their confidence emerged. Early in overtime, Onuoha struck from 20 out a ball that deflected slightly, but Bendon stretched one hand for the save, and as Falcon flank Mary Webb closed with speed, the West keeper corralled the loose ball into safety.
Pennsbury appeared energized as Rachel Beri stepped up to win Bendon’s punt, and midfielder Megan Engeland retained possession for the higher seed. Sophomore Riley Rudd moved into a dangerous space on the right, received a ball to her feet, and after creating a shred of space with the dribble, drove a ball across the box. Poised to receive Rudd’s service, sophomore Kelly Amador deliberately eluded the cross and – as West defenders stepped towards Amado -the ball found a cutting Jadyn Peto. Pennsbury’s # 8 didn’t hesitate.
“We had to get used to each other,” explained Falcondummier Kelly Amador, “but I’d rather have a good October than August.”
“This was a breakout game for (Amador),” raved Battiste. “She had a couple of game-winners early, Conestoga for one, but combining play with Megan (Engeland), Jadyn (Peto), and Uche (Onuoha) in the middle, this was her best game.”
The first seeded Falcons will have to rise even higher Saturday night if they are to defeat the second-seeded CB East Patriots. Both teams have earned their way through rugged league play, playoff pressure, and Rawlings ricochets. Despite imperfect seedings, imposed delay, and the wear and tear of Suburban One soccer, Saturday’s District championship has the two best teams squaring off.
Congratulations to CB West and CR South, schools who have brought joy to their communities, and good luck the Falcons and the Patriots; the undisputed top two of District One.
Central Bucks West 0-0-0 1
Pennsbury 0-0-1 1
#2 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3, #14 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0
By Ben Winderman
After a first half that featured interesting if not exciting play, predictions for PK’s were overheard in the line for hot chocolate.
CR South started the game well, denying CB East opportunities to get the ball to their playmakers and harassing Emma Loving and Kristen Murphy with organized intensity.
The high-pressure approach that Hawks’ coach Kim Francis demanded led to transitional play, and 10 minutes into the match, the Golden Hawks almost scored. Emily Wilkinson gained possession in the midfield and quickly advanced the ball up the flank. Retreating in disarray, the Patriots appeared momentarily vulnerable, but as she has done for much of the season, Patriot defender Emily Horn anticipated the play from the weak side, and the junior defender was there to clear the ball off the line.
“We switched her (Emily Horn) to the back midway through the season,” explained East coach Paul Eisold. “And it’s a move that has really worked out. She complements Paige (Weiss) really well and she covers a lot of mistakes for us. ”
As the first half deepened, neither team sustained pressure or retained possession. The Golden Hawks showed subtle signs of fatigue while CB East allowed for some visible frustration. Early in the second half, that frustration would turn to anger.
“We didn’t really make any changes at halftime, I mean tactically, but when that goal got called off, we all just got fired up; we just wanted it so bad,” East midfielder Maddie Myrtetus said, “and then we played a lot better.”
In the 51st minute of play with East pressuring the Hawks’ goal, South GK Alison Taub came off her line to field a loose ball. After an aggressive challenge, East appeared to score the game’s first goal, but one of the three officials with a whistle quickly ruled that Taub had gained possession and, therefore, disallowed the goal.
We all just got fired up.
East’s players showed restraint in terms of protesting the call, but immediately they became much more vocal, and their play transformed from a meandering stream to a rushing river. With Paige Weiss launching free kicks like a slingshot and Danielle DeMichael crashing the Golden Hawks goal uninvited, the Patriots climbed classifications quickly and were swiftly white water #5.
It was during this surge that Taub collected a bouncing restart and punted back into the current. Anticipating the ball’s flight perfectly was East’s junior midfielder Maddie Myrtetus. Simultaneously, East phenom Emma Loving (#8) started a well-timed run.
As Myrtetus arrived beneath Taub’s punt and one timed the ball with her instep, Loving penetrated behind the CR South back line.
“My coach just always tells me to try and get to the ball and one time it behind their backs, and Emma always makes those perfect runs,” she said.
Myrtetus’ touch was sublime, and with Snake River speed, Loving took a set-up touch, shielded off a defender, and deposited the game winnner low and far post.
We just wanted it so bad.
Loving would duplicate the play minutes later, this time off a service from left flank Kristen Murphy, and the South levy seemed to break. Mrs. Hyde 2 – CR South 0.
The Hawks players showed resilience and the will to compete, but when Loving broke in for the would-be third goal and was clipped from behind, Eisold took her out of the game. A mixture of applause and protest harmonized as noise, and the Patriots’ attack flooded South’s compromised defenses.
In the 68th minute The Golden Hawks managed a counterattack as Nikki Caffey found space down the right side and turned the corner towards goal, but East keeper Katie Dolf played the angle well and turned Caffey’s blast into a routine save.
East finished the scoring when Danielle DeMichael converted a PK earned by Kristen Murphy’s brilliance. DeMichael pounded the shot to Taub’s right, and CB East rejoiced!
“Guess what,” coach Eisold said to his players immediately following the game. “You’re in the district final, the first CB East girls’ team to do that!”
The anger had turned to joy and a well deserving Patriot squad celebrated a river’s flow of history.
On Saturday night at CR North at 8 p.m., East’s water will meet Pennsbury’s sky. Will the Falcon fall or will the Patriots’ dry?
Council Rock South 0-0 0
Central Bucks East 0-3 3
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