Pennridge advanced to Tuesday’s District 1 4A semifinal. CB South & CB East will be competing in the playbacks.
District 1 4A quarterfinals
#11 PENNRIDGE 1, #3 DOWNINGTOWN EAST 0
There was no mistaking the emotion in coach Pete Valimont’s voice and small wonder.
As farewell tours go, it’s turned into a memorable one for the Rams’ coach, who will be stepping down at the end of the season to spend more time with his family – his wife, nine-year-old triplet sons and five-year old son.
For now, however, Valimont is ecstatic that his team has extended its season, assuring itself a spot in the state tournament with Saturday’s upset of the third-seeded Cougars.
“We get to play three more games,” the Rams’ coach said. “Oh my god, I’m so proud of these guys. This is everything. You get emotional at the end.
“I’m driving now to my triplets U10 travel game – they weren’t able to be there because they have a game at two o’clock. My whole team is going back to The Perk for a celebration lunch and then they’re going to support the girls at three.
“This for me is 15 years, and we get to say we’re going to be in the big dance. We haven’t been there in 25 years since my junior year. It’s bittersweet because I know we wanted the banner so bad for the (Colonial) Division, but if you told me the division or this, I would have taken this. The quote I love – especially for high school, ‘If your team is playing when the leaves are changing, you’re having a darn good season.’”
Saturday’s game was a battle from the outset.
“It was a very physical game, a very hard-fought game,” Valimont said. “We knew their coach has a Philly soccer background and has a lot of Philly non-league games to have those kids tough and ready to go in the postseason. It was a physical battle.”
With 27 minutes remaining in the first half, the Rams scored the only goal they would need.
“Pat Fannon was able to get a ball, beat a guy on the wing and put it back across the field to Jared Hess,” Valimont said. “Jared Hess was able to control it, beat his guy and finish a great shot in the back of the net.
“The goal was straight off the practice field to the game. It was just a really fantastic job, and that’s all we needed.”
The Rams survived everything the Cougars threw their way, holding on to win by that 1-0 score.
“They came at us with everything,” Valimont said. “Their really good player got a yellow with five minutes remaining, so we were able to not have to worry about him with under four minutes, but they threw basically everybody they had – I think they had two in the back in the last five-six minutes.
“We got lucky a couple of times – some really close shots, some really busy corner kicks that we were just able to see it out or CJ (Dimmick) made a save. At the end of the day, these are the type of games my senior class has played for and are prepared for, and they saw it through.”
There was plenty of praise to go around after Saturday’s upset of the tournament’s third seed.
“Start from the back and work your way forward,” Valimont said. “CJ (Dimmick) has three shutouts in three district playoff games – two elimination games, a potential playback game today in the sense if we don’t win it, we’re back to where we were last year. We get one step further than last year now with the way CJ’s played. He’s just absolutely amazing.
“In front of him, Tommy (McKinney), Roman (Arcade), Jhoa Hernandez, Andrew Parlee, putting Shane (Velez) back there at times. Those guys have been an absolute wall and have made it very, very difficult. They know they have such a great goalie behind them that they’re not worried if we give up shots.
“Then you just work your way up. You have Pat Fannon, Jack Bruno, Quinn Annan playing really well. Our wings – Troy Thanel, the kid has no care for his body. He is so reckless with his body but in a good way because teams don’t expect it, and he’s just an absolute chore, and I’m so proud of him.
“And then guys across the top. (Jared) Hess playing his butt off. Fernando Columna has come in and done a fantastic job and all our subs off the bench. Guys understand their roles. They’re coming in, they’re giving the minutes we need.”
Pennridge (16-5, 11-5 SOL) will travel to second-seeded Conestoga for a District 1 4A semifinal game on Tuesday.
Pennridge 1-0 1
Downingtown East 0-0 0
#1 LOWER MERION 3, #8 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 1
The Titans turned in a strong outing against the district’s top-ranked squad but came up short.
“(I’m) extremely proud of my team,” South coach Kyle Pettican said. “They have come so far. To go from not even making the playoffs last year to competing with supposedly the best team in the district speaks volumes.”
The Titans took a 1-0 lead two minutes into the contest on a Brayden Roach header.
Midway through the first half Lower Merion evened the score during a scramble in front of the goal, and with five minutes remaining in the half, they scored to go into halftime with a 2-1 lead.
The Titans came out firing in the second half, upping their intensity on attack, but they could not find the net. A counter led to a PK for the Aces, who held on to win by that 3-1 score.
The Patriots’ season is not over. They are one of four teams vying for the final two state berths. Central Bucks South (14-5-2, 11-3-2 SOL) will host Central Bucks East in a playback game on Tuesday. The winner will advance to states.
Central Bucks South 1-0 1
Lower Merion 2-1 3
#5 WC HENDERSON 1, #13 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0
The two teams battled to a scoreless halftime tie, but one minute into the second half, the Warriors capitalized on a set piece when Nick Ricciardi found the net on a free kick. That goal in the 41st minute stood the rest of the way.
“Both teams fought hard, and we had a solid first 20 minutes,” East coach Josh Isaacsohn said. “The game got away from us a bit, but we went into halftime 0-0.
“Early in the second half, they earned a free kick and shot a bending shot around our wall that was placed very well and went in. We pressed very hard and had many chances but couldn’t find the net for the last 20-25 minutes.”
Central Bucks Easts (13-6-2, 10-4-2 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks South for Tuesday’s high stakes playback game. The winner will earn a berth in the PIAA 4A State Tournament. The loser will go home.
“Although it was a tough one, our focus is now on doing battle against CB South on Tuesday,” Isaacsohn said. “There were many positives to come away with today, and we are looking forward to a great match.”
Central Bucks East 0-0 0
WC Henderson 0-1 1
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