Central Bucks East advanced to Saturday’s PIAA Class 3A quarterfinal round with an 8-0 rout of Delaware Valley. Central Bucks South saw its successful postseason run come to an end.
1-3 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 9, #2-1 DELAWARE VALLEY 0
Less than ideal conditions greeted the Patriots when they travelled to Wyoming Seminary in Kingston for an opening round game in the PIAA Class 3A Tournament. The results made it well worth any discomfort they may have had to endure.
“It was freezing – it was sleeting and in the 30s,” junior Cailey Lever said. “It was pretty rough – we’re not really used to it with the great weather we’ve been having, but we really rallied together. We really wanted this win to go further in states than we did last year.”
Last year, the Patriots – then the fifth place team from District 1 – fell to perennial state powerhouse Emmaus 8-1. This year, they returned the favor to Delaware Valley.
Lever led a potent East attack with four goals and an assist while Riley Donnelly added three goals and two assists. Freshman Phia Mannino had two goals. Mackenzie Boyle and Sophie Kane both had a pair of assists.
“I think we’re really coming to a head right now, which is amazing because we really need it,” Lever said. “I feel like this year we want it more than ever, and the fact that we just secured a spot further than we went last year – I think we all have increased motivation to take on whoever we play on Saturday.”
The first half featured goals by Mannino (Donnelly assist), Lever (Boyle assist) and Donnelly (Lever assist). The Patriots added six more in the second half.
“Going in to Delaware Valley, we were supposed to win,” Finegan said. “We knew our record was better even though we were the lower seed.
“I told them, ‘This is it. This is states – if you have an off game, you’re done.’ We’ve had some lulls in our games. I don’t know why that happens, but I think they get comfortable and think they’re going to win. Today we did not play like that. We played like a team that was on a mission. It was fun to win a game in states because that hasn’t happen for a long time.”
Although she wasn’t sure when East last won a state playoff game, the third-year coach knows it’s been a long time.
“It’s been over 10 years,” Finegan said. “The team is so excited. I think they were really disappointed when Downingtown West beat us (in the district semifinals).
“We did not take this team lightly. We were not going to let down, this was do or die time. They were going after it. We have a pretty strong schedule in the SOL Continental Conference, and it prepared us well for going against Delaware Valley.”
The Patriots held a lopsided advantage in shots (14-0) and corners (12-0).
Central Bucks East (19-4, 11-1 SOL) will face District 3 champion Penn Manor – ranked number one in the nation – in a state quarterfinal game Saturday.
“Penn Manor is going to be really tough,” Finegan said. “I have high hopes that we’ll be able to give them a game.
“On any given day, anything can happen. Obviously, they’re the team that’s supposed to win, so we’re going in as underdogs, but we have a very gritty, feisty team that works together. They’re very excited. We’ll have hard practices this week and go into Saturday with a plan and ready. Let’s go for it.”
Central Bucks East 3-6 9
Delaware Valley 0-0 0
#3-1 PENN MANOR 4, #1-5 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0
Pat Toner has seen a lot of field hockey teams over the past four decades. According to the veteran coach, Penn Manor- the top-ranked team in the nation – just might be the best.
“They were one of the strongest teams I’ve ever seen,” Toner said. “I thought they were an absolutely wonderful team.
“They’re well coached – Matt Soto has done a fantastic job with that program since he took over. There is not a weak spot. You don’t get many opportunities – they’re just that solid at every single position. If I had to imagine that we’re four goals worse than the best team in the United States, I think I can live with that.”
Penn Manor led 2-0 at halftime and added two more goals in the second half, scoring three of those goals during corner play. A new defensive alignment had a whole lot to do with keeping the Comets – who were awarded 21 corners but managed just 10 shots – somewhat at bay.
“I have to thank Lisa Pennington of Neshaminy for taking time out of her day to come over and teach us a new method,” Toner said of the Redskins’ former head coach who is not an assistant. “We did well with it. There were periods of time when we frustrated them a little bit, so I was happy about that.”
Toner lauder the play of her stalwart defense comprised of Ally Fitts, Kasey Dietzel, Annie Brady, Sarah Duimering, Dakota Harris and goalie Jillian Heilig (six saves).
“Our goalkeeper had some fantastic saves – she absolutely played a great game, and our defense played exceptionally well,” the Titans’ coach said. “I’m never going to say, ‘Oh, I’m happy that we lost 4-0,’ but they’re that good, and they belong as the number one team in the United States. I know this sounds crazy, but I am so thrilled to death that we got to experience it.
“They were crying on the bus because they didn’t want it to be over. I’m really proud of them.”
Central Bucks South closed out its season with a 13-9-1 record (6-5-1 SOL).
Council Rock South 0-0 0
Penn Manor 2-2 4
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