CB East, Pennridge, Hatboro-Horsham & CR South were winners in Thursday’s second round of the District 1 3A Tournament. CB East/Abington photos courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f405978483 (Pennridge/CB West photos courtesy of Abbe Kiwak/Pennridge Soccer)
CLASS 4A
No. 21 Council Rock South 3, No. 5 Garnet Valley 2
Kathryn O’Kane did not have a very good Wednesday, so she made sure the Jaguars had an even worse Thursday.
CR South coach Nick Heim wasn’t quite sure what the junior midfielder had to give, especially after O’Kane had undergone an unexpected dental procedure and came nowhere close to the recommended daily amount of sleep as a result. However, O’Kane is a competitor and sometimes the best medicine for any lingering pain or fatigue is ending someone else’s season.
O’Kane scored two goals as the Golden Hawks knocked off GV to keep playing into the quarterfinals.
“O’Kane was unstoppable,” Heim said. “Kid barely slept last night after getting an emergency root canal and not just having two goals, but her work rate was incredibly impressive to see.”
For her efforts, the junior midfielder wanted to share the wealth.
“I’m really proud of our effort tonight,” O’Kane said. “We knew going into today that this was gonna be a tough game but as long as we worked together and kept our heads in it that we could give them a run for their money, and that’s what we did.”
CR South had to take its second long bus ride of the week, this time facing a young but talented Jaguars team out of the always tough Central League. For 40 minutes, GV was the better side and just took it to the visiting Hawks.
But, high school soccer matches are 80 minutes long (usually) and CR South was able to turn things around.
“We told the girls at halftime that we were being uncharacteristic, and we looked like we haven’t looked all year. With probably some luck, we were only down 1-0,” Heim said. “We made some formation changes to something that we really didn’t play all year and our girls adjusted incredibly well.”
Picking up that Garnet Valley’s team speed had been the root cause of many of their issues, the Hawks took measures to neutralize the threats and fill in to take it away.
“Really, really proud of the resiliency of this group. GV was solid, and shocked us a bit in the beginning,” Heim said. “To stay composed and battle back to take a lead, and then again to find a winner is great to see.”
O’Kane, who also plays point guard for the basketball team, is dynamic with the ball at her foot. She also reads the game extremely well as both a passer and working off the ball – traits she also brings indoors for the winter – and gave GV fits in the second half.
“Kathryn O’Kane got on the end of a Juliette Salvi set piece to even it at one and the momentum shifted,” Heim said. “A few minutes later O’Kane got on the end of a Kate Deal free kick to go up 2-1.”
Again, O’Kane passed off credit to her teammates and the preparation the coaches put the team through heading into the postseason.
“We’ve been emphasizing following balls on free kicks during practice lately and that definitely showed tonight,” O’Kane said. “My teammates Juliette Salvi and Kate Deal did the hard work and placed two perfect balls so I owed it to them to get a piece of them.”
The Jaguars leveled the score with about 10 minutes to play and the teams would trade chances the rest of regulation and through the first 15 minute overtime session.
Salvi, the hero in Tuesday’s first round win over Downingtown West, and Deal also had their hands full with their regular jobs as defenders. The entire Hawks defensive unit was tested quite a bit but came through it as a group.
“Ella Mayberry played well picking off crosses and Fiona Reckner and Salvi really neutralized their D1 commit up top,” Heim said. “Deal played the best game of her young career.”
Any time a center back comes out of a match with two assists, they know it was a good one. Salvi could add that to her list of accomplishments for the week when she picked out Teagan Shay making a late run in the second overtime
“After not playing our best during the first half, we came into the second half more focused and eager to win. We pushed ourselves and played extremely well,” Shay said. “Going into overtime made us want it even more. After having many chances, the ball finally went in the back of the net after I received an amazing ball from Juliette. I’m very proud of my team and how hard we all worked.”
The Hawks (11-5-3, 8-5-3 SOL) will face No. 4 Spring-Ford at 11 am on Saturday, with a win securing them a spot in the state tournament and a loss sending them to playbacks.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0 2 0 1 – 3
GARNET VALLEY 1 1 0 0 – 2
Goals: CRS – Kathryn O’Kane 2, Teagan Shay
No. 8 Central Bucks East 4, No. 9 Abington 0
This wasn’t exactly an ideal matchup for the Patriots.
Sure, East had beaten Abington already this season, but that was back on Aug. 25, and the Ghosts had come a long way from that point. With Abington coming off an all-around strong first round win and East having struggled in some phases against Avon Grove, it was far from a sure thing.
“Coming out of our game against Avon Grove, we knew there were some parts of our game that we had to work through, and for the most part today, I thought we adjusted well,” East coach Jake Nesteruk said. “Any time you have to play a team twice, it makes for a bit of a difficult plan to prep for, and Abington are incredibly well coached, and their kids have put together an incredible season.”
East again scored early, although not the first minute of the game early, and it went a long way to helping settle things down. The Patriots’ back line is really good at its main role of defending the goal, but they’ve got some scorers back there too.
Senior Grace Craig got things going 10 minutes in, curling her own corner kick untouched for an Olimpico goal and East was off from there.
“Our kids settled in early and found a bit of rhythm in possession that stayed pretty consistent for 60 minutes or so of the game,” Nesteruk said.
Craig, a fullback, chalked up an assist later in the half on her team’s third goal, this time one of her corners finding senior Sofia Mignon for a header and 3-0 lead.
In between, it was Mignon giving the assist as she found Jessie Bernabe for a rocket shot from about 25 yards off the right flank.
“Overall, I thought it was a good team result and thought our girls did what was expected of them,” Nesteruk said. “We came into districts saying we didn’t need anyone doing too much, just all of us connecting with each other and doing our job, and I thought that’s how the game played out.”
The loss ended Abington’s season on a sour note, and as coach Rick Tompkins noted, that’s the case for all but one team
when it gets to this time of year. A final score doesn’t finalize the Ghosts season, with the team capturing a second straight SOL Liberty title and winning its first round game for a fourth straight postseason.
“The girls played hard all season, they played skillfully, and it was a lot of fun to coach them,” Tompkins said. “It’ll hurt today, hurt a little less the next day and then you start to get on to the next year.
“I can’t say enough about our senior leadership. They really did a nice job all season long.”
Seniors like Piper and Harper McGinley, Kara Slavin, Maddie Egan and Jocelyn Pollock made the team their own while also continuing the program’s successful legacy over the last half-decade.
“They showed a lot of resilience,” Tompkins said. “They kept going and things fell our way. It shows that you just gotta keep playing because you never know.
“This was not our best night, but East also did a really nice job. They were just faster than us, but we played well in the second half, and you could see there was no quit.”
East tacked on its final goal early in the second half. Freshman Kiera Sleicher threaded a neat through ball to senior Julia Santanello, who tucked away the finish.
“You don’t get through these games without getting contributions from everyone,” Nesteruk said. “I thought Chantal Van Dongeren came into this game and was great for us. Julia Santanello and Kiera Sleicher linked up for a great goal to close the game out. Sofia Mignon finished off a corner that was excellent.
“We said to our girls that this could be the last time we play here this fall, so just enjoy it and fight for each other.”
East will be on the road for the quarterfinals and while there is a path that brings them back home again, the Patriots would be content if their home field record ended up where it is now, without a loss.
“To walk away without losing a home game is a big deal in this conference and we are really proud of that, but the group’s eyes are forward to Saturday and preparing for Conestoga,” Nesteruk said.
East (15-3-2, 11-3-2 SOL) will face top-seeded Conestoga at 2 p.m. Saturday, a win securing a spot in states with the losing side dropping to playbacks. Abington ended the season with a 14-5-1 record.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 3 1 – 4
ABINGTON 0 0 – 0
Goals: CBE – Grace Craig, Sofia Mignon, Jessie Bernabe, Julia Santanello
No. 2 Pennridge 7, No. 15 Central Bucks West 0
Kate Weyer knew the bracket did not do her and her CB West teammates a favor.
“It’s the luck of the draw. Nobody wants to play them, especially in their first playoff game,” Weyer said of the prospect of matching up with Pennridge in the postseason.
Indeed, it might not have mattered who was on the other side as the Rams began their postseason run with a top-to-bottom complete effort led by their seniors. All seven goals had some kind of senior influence, whether by finish, assist or in the case of an own goal, the ball played in that led to an errant deflection.
This is the stage of the season Pennridge’s senior class has been waiting for, and to get where they want to go, they had to get past their first postseason fixture.
“We all motivate each other to keep pushing each other further,” Rams senior midfielder Liv Grenda said. “We know this is our last season, so we know we have to leave every single thing we have on the field. At the end of the day, we can’t go back, we can’t change anything, we don’t have another year so there have to be no regrets at the end of it.”
Grenda scored two goals and assisted on another, matching the output of classmate Hailey Primwhere. Senior Lindsey Balmer scored a goal and assisted on one while seniors Ava Kiwak and Sophie Craig added helpers.
“We just enjoy being around each other,” Primwhere said. “That always brings positive energy.”
While the Rams’ senior class is talented, with several future Division I players, they also work well together.
“It’s the chemistry, some of us have been playing together since we were four or five and knowing each other that long, it only helps us when we’re playing together,” Kiwak said.
Weyer knows the Rams well. A four-year starter, she’s played them enough times by now and she was club teammates with a few of them. The senior captain also made sure to wish Pennridge well as it continues on after noting her team’s unfortunate luck in being the first side in the Rams’ way.
As for her team, Weyer couldn’t have asked for much more out of this year. With a new coaching staff, led by first-head coach and West alum Bree Benedict, coming in, the Bucks tried to enjoy every minute of the season despite whatever new challenge seemed to get in their way.
“The people and the change in environment was so impactful on all of us, not just in our soccer careers but in our personal lives,” Weyer said. “It made us so much closer as a team. I’m really proud of us for all we accomplished this year even though we didn’t make it as far as last year.”
Apart from a few games early in the season, the Bucks never quite felt whole this fall due to a streak of injuries. That didn’t stop them from going out and competing on Thursday, and even as the score started to slip away, they weren’t giving up on the game.
“I can’t even believe the injuries we’d all end up getting,” Weyer said. “But what I’m really proud of was that we were the type of team that somebody could step in and fill those big roles for other people.
“It didn’t matter who went down or who had to come off the field, we were still the same team out there and that’s never going to change.”
Primwhere, who found Addy Mills for a header off a corner kick to open the scoring, got her first goal through pure determination. The senior had two shots somehow saved by West’s Cam Nocito, the ball stayed in play and found its way back to Primwhere with her third effort finally snaking its way in.
Competition is always fierce with the Rams, Grenda saying Tuesday’s training was particularly intense preparing
for the start of the playoffs, so it naturally carries over into games.
“That’s what it’s like to be part of our program,” Primwhere said. “All of us, we’re never going to give up and we’re going to keep fighting.”
Weyer will head off to VCU next year to continue playing. While the Bucks will miss all the captain gave the program, along with the rest of her senior teammates, Weyer said she’s excited to see what these coaches can do with the program over the next few years.
“No matter how many goals you give up or how many goals you score, it should always be the same out there,” Weyer said. “Enjoy every minute of it, you never know when it’s going to be your last.”
Thursday, the Rams won to ensure their season would continue. Saturday, they’ll look to win and secure their spot in states.
After that, they’ll just look to keep on winning.
When it’s a state title or bust, that’s the way it has to be.
“The way we ended last season is just motivating us even more,” Kiwak said. “We just want to win as much as we can and make it back to that state title game.”
Pennridge (18-0-1, 15-0-1 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham at 2:30 pm on Saturday, the winner securing a state playoff bid and the loser going to playbacks. CB West ends the year 12-6-1.
PENNRIDGE 4 3 – 7
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 0 0 – 0
Goals: P – Hailey Primwheree 2, Liv Grenda 2, Lindsey Balmer, Addy Mills
No. 10 Hatboro-Horsham 2, No. 26 North Penn 1
Emma Levin was in a slump.
It’s hard to fathom someone with the skills the Hatboro-Horsham senior has ever being off their game, but that’s where the Towson recruit found herself of late when taking free kicks. So when the Hatters earned one midway through the second half on the extreme edge of the box, Levin wanted it.
The senior broke her slump in the best way possible, hitting a perfect ball that kissed the underside of the crossbar for the eventual game-winner.
“I have been a little off with my free kicks recently and so I legit knew I had to make this one,” Levin said. “It was kind of at the perfect spot and right when I kicked it, I saw it bend down and curve under the bar.”
Levin’s fired-up celebration showed how much it meant.
“I saw it go in and it was just an awesome feeling,” Levin said. “When it comes to free kicks, I have been in a slump, so it felt good to come out of that.”
North Penn keeper Sam Ridler and Levin were club teammates, and national champions, together with the Philadelphia Soccer Club’s Coppa Rage. When she stopped to think about it, Levin said there were some mixed feelings about who she had hit the free kick over.
A minute into the game, all Levin and her teammates were thinking about was what had just happened and how to recover from it. Almost off the opening tap, the Knights were storming down the field and taking the lead when Maddy Murphy slid a cross to Paige Gladfelter for the finish 53 seconds in.
“We came off a really slow start – they scored within 50 seconds against us,” Hatters coach Kelsey Daley said. “From that, I felt we got more momentum being down.”
Hatboro-Horsham would rally, extending their season while ending North Penn’s. While the result went against them, it didn’t derail what had become a special season for one of the SOL’s youngest sides.
The Knights proved their late-season surge wasn’t a mirage with a first round upset of West Chester Henderson and have a lot of potential going into the next few years.
“I can’t really do justice to how proud I am of this group. We started off the season taking nine freshmen on varsity and were one of the youngest teams out there,” Knights coach Mike Rio said. “We knew if we put in the work we could really develop into a strong team once the girls got more reps playing with each other.”
Ridler, a senior, played lights-out down the stretch run while Murphy, a junior committed to Buffalo, shouldered the role of scoring big goal after big goal for her team. They, along with the team’s other upperclassmen, allowed the newcomers to grow into contributors alongside them.
“The seniors really stepped up and made it happen for us by mentoring and working with the younger girls and being patient as we figured things out,” Rio said. “Over the last couple weeks we’ve been playing so well and the girls were rewarded with their first playoff run and win in four seasons.”
Hatboro-Horsham’s seniors weren’t ready to go home yet, not after fighting back to win a shootout in Tuesday’s first round game to keep their season alive.
Levin got her team going the right way with an expertly-hit pass that initiated the Hatters’ first goal.
“Emma Levin was able to drive down the right side of the field and make a beautiful cross. Leah Nelson made a far post run to finish it, but it clipped the post,” Daley said. “Luckily, Lily Harvey was there to finish it.”
The midfielder said she was just being mindful of something the coaches pointed out pregame.
“Our coach told us before the game going out wide with our through balls was going to be on all game,” Levin said. “When I was dribbling up the field, I saw Leah out wide, and I played her a through ball which eventually led to a goal. It felt amazing being able to tie up the game.”
Rio said it was difficult to say goodbye to this group, and even though a majority of them will be back, losing the upperclassmen will leave a void.
“From top to bottom, and throughout the season the entire roster reinforced and reminded me why I love to coach and for that I am so grateful to them,” Rio said. “I know it’s hard to say goodbye for our seniors, but I hope that as they look back on this year they are really proud of what they accomplished because I know I will cherish this season for a long time.”
Keeping North Penn off the board for 79 minutes was not an easy task but there was one player in particular, senior center back Jordyn Harris, who earned praise for her role in doing it.
“Jordyn Harris played the best game she’s played all year. She’s played great every single game, but she really shut down Maddy Murphy on their team,” Daley said. “Jordyn just shadowed her and contained her all game and didn’t really give her any opportunities to go to the net. We knew going into the game that (Murphy) was their best player, and Jordyn Harris had an unbelievable game against her.”
Levin echoed the sentiment about her fellow senior.
“Jordyn played probably the best game of her life, she was so good, and we would not have been able to win without her effort tonight,” Levin said. “Again, I think it was a team win because everybody knows there is a possibility of it being our last game so everyone fights till the final whistle.”
The Hatters (14-4-2, 12-2-2 SOL) will travel to No. 2 Pennridge at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the quarterfinals, with the winning team securing a state playoff bid and the losing side dropping into playbacks. North Penn closed the year 9-9-2.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 1 1 – 2
NORTH PENN 1 0 – 1
Goals: HH – Emma Levin, Lily Harvey; NP – Paige Gladfelter
No. 4 Spring-Ford 2, No. 20 Council Rock North 1
The Indians pushed the PAC regular season champions to the limit on Thursday.
“It’s hard to describe how proud we are of the group tonight. We gave the girls a game plan yesterday and they executed it really, really well tonight,” North coach Gavin Flannigan said. “We had our moments and with some more luck I think it could’ve been us moving on to Saturday.”
Mia Cairone produced a moment of brilliance in the opening minutes to stake the SOL Patriot champions to a lead. The junior, a Penn State commit, dropped well back to pick up the ball about 10 yards over the midfield line off a clearance out of the Indians’ defensive third.
Turning upfield, there were three Rams between her and the goal. With three big, but well-controlled touches, Cairone got past them and ripped one with a vapor trail into the back of the net.
“She beat three defenders and hit one into the far top corner for the lead. It was a wonderful goal,” Flannigan said.
Spring-Ford settled in after giving up the shock goal less than three minutes in, but CR North was able to hold the line for a little bit. The Rams would level the score when a cross found its way into the six-yard box for a close-in finish at the far post.
“We started the second half as well as the first, Mia hit the post with a great effort and we had more possession but couldn’t create any more clear chances,” Flannigan said.
The home side would produce a little bit of magic for itself, hitting a quality goal to take the lead.
“It was a great shot from outside the box that went in the top corner. Mairin (Coghlin) made a great effort and got fingers on it but it was a good goal,” Flannigan said.
Audrey Rogan crushed a header off a Sara Tyler corner kick with 18:26 left for the apparent equalizer, but the goal was waved off by a late whistle for a foul ruled against North that seemed to defy explanation.
There was still a lot of time left in the match and despite the call going against them, North continued to push for another opportunity to tie the game.
“We kept pushing to the end but couldn’t get the goal,” Flannigan said.
The Indians finished the year with a 12-6-2 record and an SOL Patriot title. While fighting through injuries and lots of overtime games, Flannigan had nothing but positives for the way his team powered through all of it.
“It’s been a long grind this season, our younger players have stepped up really well, and even tonight I thought Amber Yuan and Kinsley Smith were really good,” Flannigan said. “Unfortunately, with the loss, our season ends. For our senior group, it’s their last game for North. They’ve been phenomenal for us on and off the field, this year they’ve been selfless in their roles and really allowed some of the younger players to flourish.
“They always made sure the team came first above everything else, and that kind of behavior will serve them well as they graduate and move on.”
SPRING-FORD 1 1 – 2
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1 0 – 1
Goals; CRN – Mia Cairone
No. 1 Conestoga 1, No. 16 Plymouth Whitemarsh 0
The Colonials gave the top-seeded Pioneers all they could handle.
“Every kid who stepped on that field fought for every inch, every piece of turf, challenged for every ball, stepped for every shot,” Colonials coach TJ DeLucia said. “We blocked more shots tonight than we have all season.”
Conestoga is undoubtedly a powerhouse in District 1 and the state of Pennsylvania. The Pioneers routinely have a roster loaded with high-level club players and college prospects, so there’s an undeniable aura around them.
Getting over that before the game even started was something the PW coaches pegged as a major factor going in.
“There was so much fear about us playing Stoga. So many kids who play for Penn Fusion, this kid is going to college here, etc, and we’re little ole PW soccer,” DeLucia said. “What we had to do as coaches was convince our kids that we had good players too.
“Our backline may not play elite level club but they’re as good as any backline in the district. And I mean that. Our goalie is the best goalie in the district.”
‘Stoga took the opening tap. It felt like a few minutes passed before the Pioneers would get the ball back.
“I was extremely concerned about the first 10 minutes. If we gave up a goal early, I think the game would have gone much differently,” DeLucia said. “They had the tap to start the game, we won the ball and had the ball for the first five minutes. And I think that’s just what our kids needed to believe they could play with them.”
Kate Kemmerly provided the game’s only tally, putting one away in the 31st minute.
“We turned the ball over about 30 minutes in, and Stoga transitioned extremely fast and scored. It happened in three seconds. And that’s what the best teams do,” DeLucia said. “Our team seemed sort of down since Stoga scored in the final ten going into half. We reset ourselves, understood that we could play with them, and played 40 good minutes in the second half.”
PW had some chances, DeLucia citing a play where a Pioneers defender had to sweep the ball off the line on a potential equalizer. PW also took away some chances, senior keeper Caitlyn Dinh adding a last highlight to a stellar career by saving a penalty kick off the foot of a Northwestern-bound player.
The Colonials ended their season with an 11-7-2 record. They won their third playoff game in program history on Tuesday and have a talented young core coming back, but DeLucia noted none of it was possible without the team’s seniors.
“I’ve never felt better after a loss in all of the brutal losses I’ve suffered in soccer and basketball than I did tonight. I’m so proud of the product PW soccer put on the field today,” DeLucia said. “Thank you to our nine seniors who have been such tremendous leaders and great stewards of the program over the past three years.”
Conestoga will host No. 8 Central Bucks East at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
CONESTOGA 1 0 – 1
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 0 0 – 0
Class 3A
No. 1 Villa Joseph Marie 6, No. 8 Upper Moreland 0
The top-seeded Jems are routinely one of the best teams not only in District 1, but at the state level year in and year out.
So, there was no shame in losing to them for the Golden Bears. The final didn’t reflect it, but Upper Moreland never stopped fighting for all 80 minutes to conclude a highly successful season.
“The score of this game does not define this team. We played through the last whistle and had some really great chances that we did not finish. Villa finished on their opportunities,” UM coach Lisa Benvenuto said. “We finished our season strong with six wins and one tie. We played two really strong teams in districts and were 1-1.”
The Bears have become a postseason fixture in their own right recently, an accomplishment that has a direct tie to their leaders.
“Our senior class is one to have made districts all four years. They have set a tone for our program and their legacy will be one that we continue to draw from,” Benvenuto said. “Congratulations to our seniors; Nicole Cancel, Johna Pryzchowicz, Claire Zabalou, Michaelina Soroka, Devin Bush, Molly Meakim, Willow Taylor, Kyra Favors, and Brooke Lobban.”
Taylor, Favors and Lobban were one of the most productive offensive trios Upper Moreland has ever had while the other seniors all filled their given roles with energy and enthusiasm.
“Our girls will continue to keep their heads up and will learn and grow from this experience and this season,” Benvenuto said. “We are so proud of this team, their grit, their competitive nature, and their commitment to each other and this program.”
Upper Moreland concludes the season with an 11-8-1 record.
VILLA JOSEPH MARIE 3 3 – 6
UPPER MORELAND 0 0 – 0
Wednesday, Oct. 25
District 1 2A Championship
#2 NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 3, #1 MaST CHARTER 2
Winning a district title might not have been on their minds during a rough regular season, but the Lions captured the District 1 2A crown with their road win over MaST Charter.
Nina Meixler scored a pair of goals for the Lions, who rallied from a 2-1 deficit to earn the hard-fought win.
“MaST Charter played an unbelievable game against us and were aggressive right from the start,” NH-S coach Matt Duffey said. “We were pinned in our end for most of the first half, and they peppered us with shots. Arya Heble made some key saves to keep us in the game.
“Fortunately, we started getting things going towards the end of the half.”
Hayden Tumminello (Ceci Capriotti assist) found the back of the net to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.
“Hayden was able to score off of a nice cutback cross from Nina Meixler that originally went to Daisy Santora, then was redirected to Ceci Capriotti,” Duffey said. “Ceci touched the ball to Hayden for the finish. That didn’t stop MaST from being aggressive and attacking.”
MaST Charter scored just before halftime to make it a 1-1 game, and 10 minutes into the second half, MaST capitalized on a corner kick that was headed in, giving MaST a 2-1 lead.
“At that point, we changed our formation to a 4-3-3 to get three forwards in attack, and once we did that, our attack started to really be dangerous,” Duffey said. “We got a corner kick with about 20 minutes left. Mia Usatin put it in a dangerous area that the MaST goalkeeper got a hand on but could hold onto the ball. There was a mad scramble in front of the goal and Nina Meixler poked it in to make it 2-2.
“We decided to stay with the 4-3-3 because we were getting better chances. Mia Usatin was moving the ball around really well to our other forwards of Meixler and Capriotti.”
With seven minutes remaining in regulation, Meixler connected on a goal that turned out to be the game-winner.
“Mia Usatin intercepted a pass in the middle of the field in our attacking third,” Duffey said. “She placed a nice ball to Meixler’s feet who was in 1-v-1 with their keeper and was able to finish it to put us up 3-2. We switched back to a 4-4-2 to be more defensive and finish out the game.”
Duffey credited the play of MaST.
“All credit to MaST Charter coaches,” the Lions’ coach said. “They have significantly improved since we met them in preseason where we handled them fairly easily (in a 6-2 win). They came ready to play and worked hard. They also made some key changes that really threw us off our game.
“We eventually grew into the game and were able to eke out the win. Fantastic effort from all of our girls on getting the District One 2A championship after a very tough year.”
New Hope-Solebury will face the District 12 winner on Saturday, Nov. 4, 3 p.m., at Holy Family University for a spot in the PIAA 2A Tournament.
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 1 2 – 3
MaST CHARTER 1 1 – 2
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