CB West fell to Conestoga in Tuesday’s PIAA 3A State Tournament semifinal, bringing a successful postseason run to an end.
PIAA 3A State semifinal
#1-2 CONESTOGA 2, #1-7 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0
No regrets.
That was the prevailing feeling when they walked off the field after Tuesday’s season-ending loss in the state semifinals at Methacton High School. Yes, the West players were disappointed to see it end, but their effort – that was anything but disappointing.
“Last season, when we got knocked out, I was bawling my eyes out, and that wasn’t even my last season,” West senior Calista Boos said. “It probably hasn’t hit me yet, but I’m just so proud of how far we’ve come that I’m not even that upset about it.”
For Boos, just being back on the field for the state tournament was especially significant after missing a portion of the regular season and districts.
“It’s meant so much to me,” the Wake Forest recruit said. “Even this whole program has meant so much to me – the girls, everything. It’s just the best.”
It was impossible to fault West’s effort in a fast-paced contest that showcased a pair of the state’s best in a game that was closer than the final score suggests.
“It was a good game, it was good hockey,” Boos said. “They’re a really good team, and I’m proud of us for making it this far and hanging in with them. We definitely had a lot of offensive opportunities as well. We just couldn’t really finish.
“Good hockey like that is always so much fun to play. I would rather have a tight game and have that intensity.”
Both teams were awarded corners in a fast-paced opening quarter that was highlighted by a pair of big saves by West goal Kendra Pitts on Conestoga’s second penalty corner.
The Pioneers got on the scoreboard on Peyton Esposito’s deflection of a cross on a textbook play just over three minutes into the second quarter. With four minutes remaining in the frame, Conestoga scored again to go into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
Pitts – who had nine saves in a standout effort – came up with back-to-back saves early in the third quarter, and later in the quarter, it was Conestoga goalie Sydney Wright fending off an aerial shot by Aida Ieurbino during corner play. Wright followed that with a huge stop of a lift shot by Lucy Smith on a corner, and the Pioneers took that two-goal lead into the final quarter.
West had several opportunities to cut the Pioneers’ lead in half only to see one shot go just wide during play after a corner, and then Wright stonewalling a shot by Ierubino.
“We gave it our all the whole game,” Boos said. “We didn’t let their goals really get us down. We were upset at first obviously, but we definitely tried to come back. We knew they were a good team, and we just really tried to keep giving our best.”
“I feel like their goals powered us up more,” junior Eve Damsker said. “We were more aggressive. The whole second half we were battling and battling. It shows our true grit and effort and want for the ball and want to score and win.
“It doesn’t always work out in our favor, but we still gave 110 percent. I know we can’t help those goals and tips, but we still played our hearts out. I’m really proud of us.”
So was their coach.
“Oh my gosh, what a run,” West coach Lori Ierubino said. “We had fun, we had hardships that we endured, and that’s the fun of sports – the takeaways you have for the rest of your life.
“I’m so proud of the team. We’re going to miss the seniors, but this team is going to be part of West’s legacy forever.”
Scoring Summary
First quarter – No score
Second quarter
Peyton Esposito (C) from Lexi Patterson 11:24
Shae Wozniak (C) 3:56
Third quarter – No score
Fourth quarter – No score
Central Bucks West coach Lori Ierubino:
–On the game:
“Their first goal was a beautiful shot – it was a drive in, and someone running across tipped it in. That was a beautiful goal, but we had corners we didn’t execute on. At the end of the third, we had some really close shots.
“We had opportunities. We just didn’t have that little magic piece. They didn’t go in – they went a little wide today.”
–On the value of experience: “We didn’t make it past the first round of states with any of these kids. I think I read that this was (Conestoga’s) fourth try to get to the finals for their seniors. There is something to be said for having senior leadership that’s done it before.
“Not that we didn’t have the leadership, but we did lack some of that experience. At the same time, we have a team coming back pretty much the same for next year that now does have the experience. While I’m sad to see this season end, they left a good foundation for the kids and the program moving forward.”
West senior captain Calista Boos:
–On a memorable season: “This year was really special to me. Just making it this far – it was really the cherry on the top of a great four years. Not even me personally but us as a team, we’ve improved so much. I love the girls, I love the team. It’s really special, and it’s going to be sad not seeing each other and not having practice every day. I know we’ll stay in touch though.”
West junior captain Eve Damsker:
–On doing it together: “We all work together really well, and it’s really sad to see our seniors go, but (they’ll) be in our hearts forever. We all just worked really well together. It was so much fun.
“We’re all friends on and off the field. We have really good connections. It’s a really great group of girls, and I’m sorry to see (the seniors) go next year.”
–On playing in state semifinals: “It’s just an honor. We never got this far for a long, long time, so it’s just an honor to even be here on this field. Just because we didn’t win doesn’t mean we didn’t play hard. The whole season we had lots of effort, and that’s all that matters to us.”
A season for the record books: The Bucks closed out their season with 21 wins and a perfect 10-0 record on their way to earning their second straight SOL Colonial Division title.
Conestoga 0-2-0-0 2
Central Bucks West 0-0-0-0 0
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