Chartiers-Houston tops Eden Christian, 2-1
HOUSTON – Chartiers-Houston’s match against Eden Christian on Monday night in the first round of the WPIAL Class A girls soccer playoffs resembled more of a football game.
The physicality was never more evident than in the second half when Ali Wingard was struck in the nose and went down for several minutes as blood was drawn. Wingard returned and teammate Ella Richey scored the game-winner roughly 10 minutes later in the Bucs’ 2-1 victory.
Ava Capozzoli had the assist on Richey’s goal.
“Ali was breathing out of the right side pretty well after they put in the nose plugs, but she went up, came down, and the girl connected with her nose,” Chartiers-Houston coach Robert Acor said. “I think that really got the girls inspired. We had another girl that got kicked, and she was worried it was broken, but they taped her up and it was fine. Today’s contest was very physical, but we’ve played some physical teams this year, so we’re ready for that.”
The Bucs (14-3-0) advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinals.
Eden Christian (8-6-1) made it interesting with 17:11 remaining as Lara DeFazio gained possession following a scramble in the box and buried the shot to cut the deficit to one.
“I think our girls played great,” Eden Christian coach Alex English said. “They hung in there till the last minute. From last season to this season has been huge. We are going to miss our seniors. It was a physical game, but there were no cards handed out and I thought the referees did a great job.”
Chartiers-Houston senior goalkeeper Grace McAvoy preserved the one-goal lead with a save with 5:30 left in the second half. McAvoy made six saves.
“Grace made the big saves when they counted,” Acor said. “We only have two seniors in Grace and Mia (Reddix) but they do a great job and serve as captains.”
Bucs sophomore Seanna Riggle set up classmate Amelia Brose for the opening goal with 18:22 remaining in the first half.
Chartiers-Houston didn’t have a shot on target until Brose’s tally. She received a ball from Riggle, and as Eden Christian goalkeeper Makayla Potter came out to challenge, Brose directed the ball past her and into the net for a 1-0 lead.
“We knew they weren’t going to just go away after we scored first,” Acor said. “I would have liked to have capitalized on a few more opportunities, but I knew it was going to be a one-score game.”
Capozzoli added a second shot on goal with 17 minutes remaining in the first half for the Bucs, but Potter made the save.
Chartiers-Houston added two more shots on target in the first half, but Potter stopped both. Potter had five saves.
Eden Christian’s Allie Emswiler put a free kick on target with 3:05 left in the first half, but McAvoy made the save.
Reddix blasted a free kick from 45 yards away with 29:19 left in the second half, but Potter made the save while sliding.