CB West & New Hope-Solebury were winners and advanced to the elite eight in the PIAA State Tournament. (Photo courtesy of Tracy Valko)
PIAA 3A State Tournament opening round
#1-2 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 6, #3-4 HEMPFIELD 2
Hempfield was accustomed to playing the role of underdog.
After all, the Black Knights – the 14th seed out of 14 teams – pulled off the upset of the District 3 tournament, defeating third-seeded Conestoga Valley 4-3 in an opening round game. Conestoga Valley brought a 17-1 record into districts.
So, the Bucks shouldn’t have been surprised when Tallia Leber scored five minutes into the contest, spotting the Black Knights a 1-0 lead.
The Bucks, however, had an immediate and emphatic response, reeling off three straight goals in the final 7:43 of the period. Aida Ierubino began a dazzling offensive performance with back-to-back goals, and Ellie Tweddale (Lucy Smith assist) scored the third for a 3-1 lead after one quarter.
“They got on the board first, so that definitely lit a fire underneath us because, for the seniors, this is our last home game here ever,” Ierubino said. “And for them to score first, it was like – this is not how we want to end our last game here. We do not want to end like this. I feel like it lit us up.”
Interestingly, neither team scored again until the fourth quarter. Ierubino connected on her third goal of the game, this one with a Zola Morelli assist. Hempfield’s Laken Davis answered with a goal less than a minute later, but Ierubino scored an unassisted goal – her fourth of the game, and then it was Claire Demmer scoring with a Smith assist for the 6-2 final.
Not a bad farewell to their home field for Ierubino and her West teammates.
“There’s definitely a sentimental piece to it, but I feel like it’s bittersweet,” Ierubino said. “Obviously, it sucks – I’m never going to play on this field again, but to go out like this with a great win, it’s so surreal, and I couldn’t ask for a better way to end.”
Scoring summary
First quarter
Talia Leber (H) 9:51
Aida Ierubino (CBW) 7:43
Aida Ierubino (CBW) 2:55
Ellie Tweddale (CBW) assisted by Lucy Smith,1:16
Second & third quarters.– No score
Fourth quarter
Aida Ierubino (CBW) assisted by Zola Morelli, 9:37
Laken Davis (H), 8:43
Aida Ierubino (CBW) 7:00
Claire Demmer (CBW) 5:38 assisted by Lucy Smith, 5:38
Central Bucks West coach Lori Ierubino:
–On the game: “We were just a little flat to start. They’re a very fast, physical team. I had to move several people around just to get better matchups. Once we did that, we got into our groove. We had a couple of missed opportunities. I thought our defense did a good job shutting down their corners, and (goalie) Kendra (Pitts) had a great game. She had some big saves when we needed her to.
“It wasn’t the prettiest in the beginning, but I think it ended with our West hockey style, and we’re advancing, so let’s go.”
Up next: Central Bucks West will face #3-3 Lower Dauphin in Saturday’s second round of the District 1 3A Tournament at a time and site to be determined. Lower Dauphin routed District 7 champion Pine Richland 5-0 in an opening round game.
It is the third time in four years the Bucks have faced Lower Dauphin in the state tournament.
“To have this senior year – freshman year, we played them first round,” Ierubino said. “It’s such a full circle moment for me. I know Kendra (Pitts) and Eve (Damsker) who experienced it alongside me, we’re so excited.”
Hempfield 1-0-0-1 2
Central Bucks West 3-0-0-3 6
PIAA Class 2A opening round game
#1-2 NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 6, #12-1 LANSDALE CATHOLIC 0
What a difference a half can make
After battling the Crusaders to a scoreless halftime tie, the Lions erupted for six second-half goals – five in the fourth quarter.
Gabi Solis, who finished with two goals and an assist, broke the scoreless tie with a goal in the third quarter, using a Danielle Wilson assist.
In the fourth quarter, Solis opened the scoring with an Olivia Conte assist, and then it was Brianna McBride (Conte assist) finding the cage. Claire Thomas-Klug scored her first of two goals, this one with a Wilson assist. Conte, who had a goal and two assists, scored with a Solis assist, and Thomas-Klug closed out the scoring, using a McBride assist.
Scoring summary
First & second quarters – No score
Third quarter
Gabi Solis (NH-S) assisted by Danielle Wilson
Fourth quarter
Gabi Solis (NH-S) assisted by Olivia Conte
Brianna McBride (NH-S) assisted by Olivia Conte
Claire Thomas-Klug (NH-S) assisted by Danielle Wilson
Olivia Conte (NH-S) assisted by Gabi Solis
Claire Thomes-Klug (NH-S) from Brianna McBride
Up next: New Hope-Solebury will meet Greenwood, the fifth place team from District 3, in Saturday’s second round at a site and time to be determined. Greenwood edged District 4 champion Selinsgrove 1-0.
New Hope-Solebury 0-0-1-5 6
Lansdale Catholic 0-0-0-0 0
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