Pennsbury defeated Owen J. Roberts to advance to Saturday’s District One 4A final. Neshaminy/Spring-Ford photos provided by Keith Clemens Photography. CLICK HERE to go directly to the GIRLS' SOCCER GALLERY.
#1-3 PENNSBURY 2, #1-2 OWEN J ROBERTS 1
Before the Falcons even had a chance to settle in, they found themselves trailing.
A goal by Owen J Roberts' prolific senior forward Mahogany Willis just two minutes in had Pennsbury chasing quickly. But if the Falcons have proven anything this season, it's that they're a resilient group.
"The girls have been playing with a level of confidence that comes from experience and preparation. This game was very similar to our match at Pennington (a 2-1 win) – going down early, earning an equalizer before half and hunting down a game-winning goal," Pennsbury coach Kaitlyn Battiste said. "They've experienced a lot this season. At the same time, the coaching staff does so much to get these girls prepared for any scenario. Kim Lindemann has a great soccer mind and really helps the girls simplify the game. She can see parts of the game where we're struggling and also offers a solution. The girls continue to accept the advice and have become better problem-solvers in the game."
Pennsbury had a problem to solve early on, namely how to defend Willis while not putting too much attention on the forward.
"Owen J came out fired up and caught us on our heels. Fortunately, it happened so early that it was a big wake-up call," Battiste said. "From that point on, I saw our defense take us to the next level. Junior central defender Taylor Muller had her best game of the season and the rest of the back line just denied every other dangerous opportunity that Owen J created. Big defensive plays got the momentum going in out favor and gave us more confidence in the attack."
With Muller up to the task of keeping Willis in check, the rest of Pennsbury's defenders found their marks and the midfielders and forwards began to do their jobs more efficiently.
"Once our defense established themselves in the back, the forwards got more active in hunting down the ball and the midfielders did a better job of possessing the ball," Battiste said. "Willis is a talented player and we were able to respect that talent by keeping her under constant pressure with constant team defense.
"Everyone took the responsibility of sticking with a player and just being relentless on defense; if anyone got beat, there was always another defender filling in behind."
Jenna Peters scored for the second straight game, finding the net in the 37th minute on a beautifully-struck volley after the ball came to her feet following a free kick. While the senior had the finish, it was a team effort in the build-up to the tally.
"We took better care of the ball. Their goal started with a turnover in the midfield, we started making better decisions when taking on their defenders," Battiste said. "Our first goal started with Gabby Zalot protecting the ball and earning a free kick. Hope (Drewes) gave us a beautiful service into the box that popped out to Jenna for a great volley to the top shelf."
Pennsbury's back line of Riley Young, Ella Palmieri, Hope Drewes and Taylor Muller was "incredible" according to Battiste.
The game-winning goal came via Christine Cataldo-Smith not giving up on a play. The junior, who scored for the second time this postseason, played with a pair of black eyes earned from an inadvertent hit to the face during practice last week.
"Christine's game-winner was an all-out hustle play. She's playing with black eyes right now and doesn't stop battling," Battiste said. "Riley Young kept the play alive, but it just as easily could've been a change in possession with no scoring opportunity. Christine created that scoring opportunity with hustle and hard work and finished it with confidence."
Pennsbury (18-1-2, 10-1-1 SOL) seeks its first district title since 2014 when it faces Spring-Ford at 5 pm Saturday at Great Valley.
"Saturday's going to be a great final. Spring-Ford is another experienced team with deep district runs and state playoff appearances. The girls are excited for the opportunity," Battiste said. "Again, they know it won't be the end of their season, but it's the district final; they're competitors and they want to win it all. It's not easy to get to this point and there's no guarantee that they'll get an opportunity like this in the future. It should be a fun match."
PENNSBURY 1 1 – 1
OWEN J ROBERTS 1 0 – 1
Goals: P – Jenna Peters, Christine Cataldo-Smith
#1-9 SPRING-FORD 1, #1-12 NESHAMINY 0
There will be a new district champion this fall.
Neshaminy's repeat bid fell short in the semifinals against a very good Rams team. Riley Spingler made seven saves for the Redskins, who mounted four shots on goal.
Wednesday's match was the first meeting between the two powerhouse programs since the 2013 state final, when a Megan Schafer-led Neshaminy topped Spring-Ford for the title.
Mac Mitchell provided the game's lone goal in the 49th minute. The loss snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Falcons.
Neshaminy (15-6-1, 8-3-1 SOL) will visit Owen J Roberts in the third-place game Saturday, with both teams moving on to the state tournament next week.
SPRING-FORD 0 1 – 1
NESHAMINY 0 0 – 0
Playback
#1-4 UNIONVILLE 4, #1-17 QUAKERTOWN 2
The Panthers' special season came to an end Wednesday but not before Quakertown showed the fight and resolve that had gotten it that far.
Down 2-0 at half to a quality Unionville side, the Panthers grabbed a goal back inside the first 10 minutes of the second half. After trading goals to make it a 3-2 Unionville advantage, the Panthers made a late charge to tie it.
"After falling down 2-0 at halftime, Quakertown got back to 3-2 and almost had the equalizer with 10 left before Unionville scored the late insurance goal," Panthers coach Mike Koch said.
Center back Melina Jagiello and midfielder Haley Pursel, two of Quakertown's top players all season, scored the goals for the Panthers.
"Jagiello played incredible at center back and scored her second goal of the playoffs," Koch said. "I cannot say enough about Jagiello and Pursel and the way they played tonight and through the playoff run."
Quakertown closed out its season with a 15-7 record overall.
Unionville will face the winner of Thursday's game between Council Rock South and Souderton for the final state bid from District I. The CR South-Souderton game was postponed a day due to a threat found at Souderton Wednesday morning.
UNIONVILLE 2 2 – 4
QUAKERTOWN 0 2 – 2
Goals: Q – Haley Pursel, Melina Jagiello
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