Neshaminy defeated Governor Mifflin 2-1 in a PIAA 4A quarterfinal contest Saturday to advance to Tuesday’s title game. Photos provided courtesy of Jesse Garber. To view additional game photos, please click on the following link: http://jsgarber.zenfolio.com/p643223742
#1-3 NESHAMINY 2, #3-2 GOVERNOR MIFFLIN 1
Neshaminy is one of four teams alive in the PIAA 4A State Tournament, a fact that Jackie Ziegler admits hasn’t sunk in just yet.
“Maybe by tomorrow it will,” Ziegler said after Saturday’s win over Governor Mifflin at Phoenixville High School. “It’s actually crazy, especially for the seniors. This is the first that we’ve been here in our four years.
“Last year, we thought we would go pretty far in states, and we got knocked out the first round. It was a disappointment, but this year we just knew – if everybody brings their full effort and 110 percent, we know we can beat teams. We’re winning balls in the middle, and when we win balls in the middle, we’re good.”
The Redskins were 3-3-1 after seven games but have won 14 of 17 since then, saving their best for last. The turning point, according to Ziegler, was the Redskins’ 2-0 win over Council Rock North on Oct. 12. They went on to win eight straight games and have won 11 of 12 since then.
“That was our best game to that point,” Ziegler said of the win over Rock North. “We were all picking up for each other, working for each other. That’s when we realized, ‘Hey, we can do this.’ From there, we’ve been going up.”
The Redskins seized control of Saturday’s game early, getting on the scoreboard four minutes in on a goal by Gina Sexton (Ziegler assist). With 10 minutes remaining in the half, Brooke Mullin scored on a breakaway to put the Redskins on top 2-0.
“Once we got up 2-0, we weren’t going to give up the lead,” Ziegler said. “We knew we just had to keep the intensity up.
“Our coaches told us at halftime that they could come back from being down. Staying with a team effort, staying composed – we knew we could pull out the win.”
Governor Mifflin scored off a corner eight minutes into the second half. The Redskins’ defense held strong the rest of the way.
“This was a total team effort,” coach Chelsea Lovelace said. “From the start, winning 50/50 balls, running through the through balls, just playing a quick game, possessing, lots of energy – the key to our win was everybody brought that. Everyone brought the same intensity.
“We told them from the start – ‘This can’t be a game where we come out and just play one half. We have to play the full 80. It’s been the theme of the season.
“We knew the history of this team. They were down 2-0 in their district finals, and they ended up coming back and tying it. They lost in overtime, but that shows the type of team they are. They won’t let up.”
The Redskins held a 9-2 advantage in shots. Goalkeeper Riley Spingler was credited with two saves in a win that vaulted the ‘Skins into the final four in the state.
“I don’t know if the girls have put it in perspective, but they’re one of the four teams that are playing right now,” Lovelace said. “It’s awesome, and these girls deserve it. They play well together, they’re a fun group, lots of energy. They just work really hard for each other.
“We had a little bit of a rough start to our season, but like we tell the girls – the best time to be playing your best soccer is at the end of the season. We didn’t win our league, we didn’t win districts, but we’re doing all the right things at the right time. I couldn’t be happier with their effort.”
Neshaminy (18-6-1, 8-3-1 SOL) will face Owen J Roberts in a PIAA 4A semifinal game on Tuesday. The Wildcats defeated Central Dauphin 3-0 in Saturday’s quarterfinal round.
Governor Mifflin 0-1 1
Neshaminy 2-0 2
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