PT girls’ reign as PIAA champions over
Seneca Valley goalie Jessica Neill makes a save despite the efforts of Peters Township's Mia Toscano during PIAA Class AAA girls' soccer action.
While MaryKate Zahorchak (16) celebrates with Alexis Pucci, Erin Helbig (17) and Carolin Taylor (2) walk off the field dejected, their hopes for a fourth-straight state title dashed after Seneca Valley defeated Peters Township, 2-0, in the PIAA girls’ soccer playoff game at Chartiers Valley
Seneca Valley's Claire Kocur gets a leg up on Peters Township's Emily Franty to push the ball out of her control during PIAA girls' soccer playoff action.
HEIDELBERG – Peters Township’s run of three consecutive PIAA Class AAA girls soccer championships has ended.
The Indians did not record a shot on goal until the 68th minute, and Seneca Valley capitalized on an early chance, as the Raiders defeated Peters Township 2-0 Saturday at Chartiers Valley High School to advance to the PIAA semifinals.
Seneca Valley’s defense did not give the Indians space and limited opportunities to free kicks, as Peters Township did not have a corner kick until the 66th minute.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our effort,” Peters Township head coach Pat Vereb said. “I thought we deserved a better fate. They capitalized on a mistake we made early in the game to get the goal and the momentum.”
Peters Township (15-5-1) almost tied the game in the 73rd minute, when a free kick nearly snuck into the top portion of the net. A foul on Seneca Valley set up a free kick by junior midfielder Laurel Carpenter, who scored two goals in the Indians’ first-round victory over State College.
Carpenter’s shot hit the crossbar and the ball deflected back into play. Indians sophomore defender Mariah Vucich was waiting and struck the ball with her head, but again, the crossbar saved the Raiders.
It was the second win for Seneca Valley over Peters Township in eight days, as Seneca Valley defeated the Indians at Highmark Stadium Nov. 1 to win the Class AAA WPIAL title. The win came one year after Seneca Valley lost to Peters Township in the championship game. Seneca Valley and junior goalkeeper Jessica Neill have not allowed a goal in five postseason games.
“They are such a good program, they really are,” Seneca Valley head coach Dave Sylvester said. “They have quality players and a quality coaching staff. This has been an ongoing thing between us and them for a while. It’s kind of nice to come out on the other end for a change. It’s kind of unbelievable.”
The Indians dominated time of possession in the second half, despite playing without two-time Pennsylvania Player of the Year Veronica Latsko and junior defender Madison Schwerzler. Seneca Valley’s physical style of play led to several foul calls, setting up set pieces for the Indians.
Though the Indians were aggressive on offense in the second half, it took one Raiders set piece in the 78th minute to seal the victory. Seneca Valley junior forward Emily Wagner’s header off a Lexus Lambert throw-in snuck in the near post for the 2-0 lead.
Seneca Valley (20-2-1) continued to win the battle at midfield, pressuring Peters Township’s defense and the move finally paid off. The Raiders found open space inside the Indians’ penalty box when Peters Township senior goalkeeper Megan Parker came five feet out of the net to intercept an errant Raiders pass. The ball snuck wide of Parker, and Seneca Valley sophomore forward Cassidy Testa made a sliding shot past the goalkeeper in the 23rd minute to give the Raiders an early 1-0 lead.
“This team is the most fun you could ever have in high school,” Parker said. “I wish this could have lasted longer, but I had the most fun these last four years on this team.”
The Indians continued their patient style of play, trying to force Seneca Valley into mental errors and setting up set pieces in the Raiders’ end. Peters Township was awarded three free kicks early, and one throw-in from 30 yards almost tied the score in the 38th minute. Senior forward Emily Franty’s throw lofted in front of the Seneca Valley goal, striking the head of freshman Mia Toscano but the ball went one foot wide of the net.
“I told my girls that anyone who walked into the stadium at halftime, if the scoreboard wasn’t on, would have assumed that Peters was winning because we spent the majority of the 25 minutes in their end,” Vereb said. “They’re a strong team to score on because they are physical and their goal does a great job. We are not as potent as we were in previous years, and that matchup and those variables made it difficult.”