By Alex Frazier
Two of four District One teams advanced to the quarterfinals of the PIAA State Championship Wednesday evening.
District One runner-up Council Rock South defeated District 11 runner-up Parkland 1-0 in overtime and District One champion C.B. South defeated District Three seventh place Conestoga Valley 1-0.
Parkland took control of C.R. South in the first half, but couldn’t penetrate the Golden Hawks’ defense.
“It took us a bit to settle in,” said coach Tim Keddie. “Parkland had tremendous speed up top, and they’re a very well organized team.”
Keddie made some tactical adjustments in the second half, which gave South several scoring opportunities.
“In the second half, we did a really good job of high pressuring them,” said Keddie. “Their forwards didn’t really get the ball. I thought we were unlucky not to win it in regulation, but it was a complete team effort defensively as well as the attack.”
With Alexa Crozier, Jamie Vaniver and Cara Deola all feeling under the weather, Erica Mikula and Jackie Weber stepped up to give the Hawks the play they needed on the flanks.
Five minutes into overtime, a ball was played into Vaniver from the right flank. She sent it ahead to Lauren Heath, who found Crozier alone at the top of the box. Crozier right-footed it into the left side.
“It was a nice looking goal,” said Keddie. “It was well put, something you’d like to draw on the chalkboard.”
In goal for the Hawks, Jess Levy stopped five shots to preserve the shutout.
The Golden Hawks will take on 3-5 Mechanicsburg, a 5-0 winner over 12-1 Central in Friday’s quarterfinals.
1-1 Central Bucks South 1, 3-7 Conestoga Valley 0
The Titans goal with five minutes left in regulation was “just a matter of time,” according to South coach Joe Bocklet.
“They didn’t mount much offense,” he added.
The scouting report on the Buckskins was that they had a good keeper and a strong defense, which proved to be true as the Titans only had six shots themselves.
The Conestoga keeper robbed Casey Walsh on one of several South scoring opportunities.
Bocklet rotated a lot of players through the lineup, which eventually wore down Conestoga Valley.
In the 75th minute, Molly Grove volleyed a cross from the right side to Ashley Saylor, who ran on to it and went one on one with the goalie.
“It was a great goal,” said Bocklet. “She showed great composure.”
Bocklet complimented the play of defenders Mel Keer, Kaycee Schaefer and Lauren Hensel as well as Walsh and Caitlin Diebler in the midfield.
The Titans will take on 3-3 Dallastown, a 15-0 winner over 12-2 Franklin Towne Charter, on Friday in the quarterfinals at a site and time to be determined.
3-2 Cumberland Valley 3, 1-3 Pennridge 0
Cumberland Valley’s Cassie Pecht was too much for Pennridge. The U-17 National team player scored two goals and assisted on another to end the Lady Rams’ season.
“We got smacked around a little bit,” said coach Jorge Rodriguez, “more so than ever this season. They weren’t much different than the teams we faced in C.B. South, Council Rock South, Neshaminy and C.B. West. The difference is that they have more better players and one special player that kind of took us apart today.”
For a half it was a tight affair. Pennridge gave up a soft goal with just 40 seconds left in the first half.
“That took the wind out of us and changed the game,” said Rodriguez.
The Lady Rams came out strong in the second half with two or three good opportunities in the first five minutes. After that the Rams were forced to gamble to try and tie the game. In the process, they gave up two more goals.
“We didn’t necessarily execute our game plan like I was expecting us to,” said Rodriguez. “We definitely got outplayed for the better part of the game.”
Steve Parker, Aislinn Roberts and Sarah Senoyuit were all credited with excellent play.
“Parker took it upon herself to man mark that one player (Pecht) for the better part of the game,” said Rodriguez. “Roberts played particularly well in the back as well as Sarah Senoyuit.”
Unfortunately the defense was playing defense too long against the swarming Eagles.
“We spent so much energy defending, we were making some poor decisions with the ball,” said Rodriguez.
Despite the early exit, Pennridge can still be proud its accomplishment winning the very tough Continental Conference.
“It’s disappointing anytime the season comes to an end early,” said Rodriguez, “but if I have to end my season to a team that actually tries to play soccer and moves the ball well, it’s a lot better than losing to a team we know we’re better than.”
3-1 Hershey 3, 1-4 Central Bucks West 1
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