By Alex Frazier
The tear-streaked cheeks of Council Rock South’s nine seniors marked the end of high school soccer for them.
But, while a 2-1 overtime loss to top-ranked Hershey in the PIAA State semifinals was a sad ending to their careers, it was at the same time a joyous occasion.
As senior defender Brianna Schlupp put it, “In my four years, this is the farthest we’ve been. It’s a great way to end a senior year.”
“It was by far the most fun we had as a team,” added senior forward Jackie Weber. “It was definitely the best season.”
Hershey tested the Golden Hawks early and senior keeper Nicole Ulrick was up for the challenge as she beat Molly Briggs and Caroline Brown to two dangerous balls.
A National team player, Brown was particularly daunting up top with her finesse and skill. She was complemented by fellow captain Casey Boyer, who at close to six feet was the Trojans’ target on every set play.
Rock coach Tim Keddie had a good scouting report on them as well as midfielder Riliegh McHugh.
But the South coach didn’t feel the need to make any drastic changes or mark any special players.
“This team has flourished on its own and has risen to every challenge presented to them throughout the course of the season,” he said. “We made them aware of their strengths but did not change tactically much at all. Our mentality going into the game was win the midfield, win the game.”
At the 29:14 mark, Brown received the ball near the 30, turned a Rock defender and broke in on Ulrick, firing the ball inside the left post.
“She was good, she was physical, but she could have been stopped,” said Schlupp, who will play next year at Kutztown.
Ulrick came up big two more times before the intermission, beating Brown to a 50/50 ball and deflecting a shot by Jessica Weaver.
Rock’s only shot of the half came on a nice play with Lauren Heath finding freshman Paige McDowell on the left side. McDowell dribbled in and fired a shot, which Hershey keeper Shannon Fedyk grabbed.
“A 1-0 result at half was a fair result,” said Keddie. “They did outplay us and out-possess us.”
At halftime, Keddie reminded his players that they had always played significantly better in the second half in all their post-season playoff games.
“We tend to,” said Weber. “Our halftime talks pump us up.”
The Hawks made a statement early when Weber fired off a shot following the opening kickoff.
After getting outshot 6-1 in the first half, Rock held the Trojans to just three shots in the second, while getting four of their own.
Rock upped the pressure midway through the second half, intercepting numerous Hershey outlet passes and pushing the ball back in.
“Their energy level was way up,” said Hershey coach Jeff Rosensteel. “They really brought it late, which forced us into a defensive mode. We weren’t getting to our marks, and they were outhustling us. We got away from our game.
“We were starting to send the ball too much. Our game is more possession. We weren’t finding feet like we needed to be. All the credit to them. They really brought it.”
The tying goal came with just 5:12 left in regulation. Lauren Heath won a ball on the right sideline and crossed it into Weber.
“I just plowed through and hoped I’d touch it,” said Weber. “All goals are exciting, this one especially considering it’s the (state) semis and there was only five minutes left in the game. We were just waiting for it to come. We had the chances. We just needed to finish.”
As it was, Hershey scored the game winner at the 10:52 mark of the first overtime when McHugh sent a cross into the middle from the right. Boyer re-directed it to Weaver crashing from the left, and she managed to strike it through several defenders into the net.
“15 (Boyer), what a class move,” said Keddie. “The ball comes across. Our defender is high pressuring her, and she just makes that inside cut and lays it back off to that runner coming in from the top of the box. She put that ball through what - nine players? I thought we had changed the tide of the game and in all honesty were going to win it.”
“We fought hard. We were the underdogs this whole game,” said Weber, who will play for Penn State-Altoona next year. “Even our own paper wrote that we were going to lose. We wanted to prove everyone wrong. We outplayed them in the second half.”
Council Rock South finished its season at 20-4-1 overall and 13-1 in the National Conference. The Golden Hawks won the National Conference and finished second in District One.
“What a tremendous season,” said Keddie. “There’s nothing to be ashamed about getting to this point in the season. There’s literally three possible play dates left, and we’re walking off the fields with our heads held high.”
While the Golden Hawks look forward to resuming play this fall, Hershey advances to the PIAA Championship game Friday against Cumberland Valley, a 4-0 winner over Dallastown in the other state semifinal.
1-3 Hershey 2, 1-2 Council Rock South 1 (OT)
Goals: Caroline Brown (H), Jackie Weber (CRS), Jessica Weaver (H)
Assists: Lauren Heath (CRS), Casey Boyer (H)
Saves: Nicole Ulrick (CRS) 4, Shannon Fedyk (H) 3
Corners: Council Rock South 1, Hershey 6
Fouls: Council Rock South 15, Hershey 6
Yellow cards: Caroline Brown (H), Lauren Heath (CRS)
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