The Neshaminy and CB East girls’ soccer teams will be in action on Wednesday in the District One AAA semifinal round. Check back for game stories.
#1 NESHAMINY vs #4 BOYERTOWN
The Redskins are the only team with a perfect record in the district playoffs as they upped their record to 20-0 with a 9-1 second round win over #17 West Chester East and a 2-1 victory in the quarterfinals against #8 Spring-Ford.
The ‘Skins found themselves staring at a 1-0 deficit in their quarterfinal match against Spring-Ford – it is only second time this season have they found themselves on the short end of a score. The Redskins were down a goal against National Conference rivals Pennsbury in the league opener and later in the season against Council Rock North. They went on to defeat the Falcons 2-1 in overtime and downed the Indians by an identical score.
In two postseason games, the ‘Skins have given up two goals, which doesn’t sound like a lot until you compare it to the fact that they only allowed three goals during the entire regular season as they cruised to their third consecutive league championship.
Megan Schafer is a force to be reckoned with for the ‘Skins as one of their most lethal offensive weapons. Schafer is a Penn State recruit, and she is nearing the 100-goal mark for her career.
“We have to play every game like it may be our last,” said Schafer. “We have to be ready for anything.”
Schafer is often a target for other teams, but that only gives teammates like Gabby Farrell and Katie Suchodolski an opportunity to step up and score.
“I just have to do whatever I can to help the team,” said Schafer. “I don’t have to score every time, and sometimes teams don’t realize there are other players that can finish as well.”
Boyertown boasts an impressive 17-1-2 record as well, and the Bears have won the PAC-10 championship three out of the last four years. They were the regular season champions before being stunned by Spring-Ford in the PAC-10 championship game, which is their only loss of the season.
The Bears also had a first round bye and then downed two SOL National Conference teams in overtime, beating Council Rock North in penalty kicks in a second round matchup and then scoring the game winner in the 103rd minute in a quarterfinal win over Pennsbury. The Bears’ victory over Pennsbury avenged their 2012 second round loss to the Falcons in penalty kicks. Despite the Bears’ reputation as a powerhouse in the PAC-10, they had never advanced to the PIAA state tournament until this season.
Ashley Becker, Emily Saxon and keeper Sarafini Valenti have made important contributions for the Bears in the postseason, and they will be going for a clean sweep of the National Conference when they take on the Redskins Wednesday.
“The girls have worked hard all season,” said Redskins coach Rachel Clemens. “We feel prepared for the district semifinal game against Boyertown.”
The ‘Skins are not only preparing for Wednesday’s important match, but they have their postseason future in mind, particularly Schafer and her fellow senior classmates.
“I feel like we were so close last year,” said Schafer of last year’s loss in the PIAA State semis to Cumberland Valley. “Our first goal was to win the league, our second is to win districts, and we are getting closer to that, and our last step is to win states. We have seven seniors this year and it would be bittersweet to end the season too soon.”
Clemens echoed a similar sentiment.
“Last season we lost in the district semifinals to Downingtown West,” said Clemens, whose team got a bid to states through playbacks. “We were extremely disappointed in missing the opportunity to play in the district final last season and hope to make it to the final this season.”
In order to make that district title dream a reality, the ‘Skins will have to get past the Bears first as they meet at Souderton for a 5 pm game in the first of the District I semifinal doubleheader.
Semifinalists at a glance…
Neshaminy
- 20-0, SOL National Conference champions
- First time in school history that a girls soccer team was undefeated in regular season
- Posted 15 shutouts in 2013
- Only allowed 3 goals in regular season (2 in post-season)
- Reached PIAA Class AAA State semifinals in 2012 before losing to Cumberland Valley
Boyertown
- 17-1-2 overall
- Only loss of season came in PAC-10 title game against Spring-Ford
- Both ties came against district qualifying teams. Tied #8 Spring-Ford 1-1 in first game of regular season and #15 Owen J Roberts 1-1
- Currently on a 15-game winning streak that includes 9 shutouts
#6 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST vs. #2 DOWNINGTOWN EAST
The sixth-seeded Patriots are the lone survivor from the SOL Continental Conference, which accounted for three of the top ten spots in playoffs, but #5 Pennridge and #9 Central Bucks West both lost in the second round. The Patriots opened tournament play by cruising to two decisive shutouts, a 5-0 first round win over #27 Interboro and a 4-0 second round victory over #11 Conestoga before defeating #3 Strath Haven in penalty kicks in a double overtime thriller.
The Patriots boast experience that may help them get through the semifinal round because they are very experienced in overtime situations after playing in four overtimes so far this season, and they have many returning players who were part of the 2012 squad that advanced to PIAA State playoffs but was knocked out in the first round by Governor Mifflin.
“Most of the players either were a part of last year’s success or witnessed it in training,” said Patriots coach Paul Eisold. “I feel their experience and desire to succeed thus far has been super positive and is demonstrated directly in their results.”
Emma Loving and Shaun Kane have been leading the attack for the Patriots in the postseason, and keeper Paige Marcinkowski has done a fantastic job of keeping her opponents off the scoreboard. Nicole Pannella and Annie Axenroth have been key contributors for East in the midfield and Paige Weiss and senior captain Holly Moyer have been effective in the back.
“This year I feel like we have a better team structure and more of a family bond,” said Moyer, who anchors the defensive backfield at sweeper. “We are more physically prepared this year, and I think having the experience of last year will help us out. We know what it feels like to get to the first round (of states) and lose.”
On Wednesday, the Patriots will square off against second-seeded Downingtown East at Souderton Area Senior High School for the second game of a doubleheader slated to start at 7pm. The Cougars had a first round bye before knocking off #15 Owen J Roberts with a 4-0 shutout and beating #10 Council Rock South 1-0 in a quarterfinal match.
In 2012, the Cougars were the 18th seed, and they were eliminated in the first round, but they have a history of success with league titles the two years prior. Linnea Faccenda is one of the Cougars’ key weapons this season after being sidelined last year due to an injury. Lauren Pittman, Nicole Barretta and Nicole Caston also have been making an impact.
Faccenda, a senior forward, may be the one to watch out for as she is the team’s leading scorer with 32 goals. She has scored in almost every match the Cougars have had in 2013, posting a game-high 4 goals against West Chester East. She also has five hat tricks.
The semifinal bout promises to be an interesting one, pitting two teams that fight hard and don’t give up.
For her part, Moyer is prepared to perform her duties to keep the Patriots in the game.
“I am going to continue to play my game,” said Moyer. “I like to benefit the team more than myself, and I have been playing sweeper instead of midfield so I can try to keep possession and find seams to play the ball up.”
Eisold has complete confidence in his players.
“The experience so far has been a terrific ride for the girls,” said Eisold. “This team is capable of being competitive and enjoys the journey in the fight and leaves their hearts on the field.”
Semifinalists at a glance…
Central Bucks East
- 18-1-3 overall, Second place Continental Conference
- Only regular season loss came from #5 Pennridge
- Only allowed five goals in league play and posted eight shutouts (13 total for 2013)
- Eliminated in first round of PIAA State Playoffs in 2012
DOWNINGTOWN EAST
- 17-2 overall, Ches-Mont League Champions
- Seven-game shutout streak in regular season (13 total for 2013)
- Regained championship after losing in in 2012. Back-to-back champions in 2010 and 2011
- #18th seed in 2012 and lost in first round to #15 Garnet Valley
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