Senior defender Megan Thompson followed with a penalty stroke at 9:57 to give the Panthers (8-10-1), a 2-0 lead. McErlean finally put the Phantoms on the board at 2:37 off a corner to create the 2-1 score at halftime.
Quinn knotted the score at two with 25:21 showing in the second half on a penalty stroked that skipped off the goalie’s foot and into the cage. McLaughlin’s rush put the Panthers back in front at 21:51. But Jefferis made a breakaway and then converted a high scoop shot off a push by Quinn to tie the game at 3 with 20:04 showing.
Thompson hit the left post on another penalty stroke at 17:53 to keep the game tied.
A Jefferis blast off a corner at 12:22 gave the Phantoms a 4-3 edge, but McLaughlin scored her third goal off a corner at 7:05 to tie the fray once again.
McLaughlin had another attempt go high of the cage at the four-minute mark. Then Quinn went one-on-one with Lawler from close range inside the circle in the last 20 seconds of regulation time, with the goalie making the stop, to send the game into the 7-on-7 player overtime session.
“The first stroke, I looked over at my mom,’ said Quinn. “I can’t believe that even happened. Thankfully, it went in. Then Haley made an unbelievable play. We thought it was a corner, but they ruled it a penalty stroke. Without all these players, we wouldn’t have gotten this.’
Quinn and McLaughlin also happen to play together with the WC Eagles club team.
Phoenixville coach John Tornetta was glad the team stayed alive in the single-elimination playoff game, but he did not like the fact the Phantoms allowed four goals on just nine Quakertown shots on the day.
“We gave them too many opportunities,’ said Tornetta. “We have to tighten that up. Our defense has played well all year, but we have to come ready to play. We will work on that in practice tomorrow (Tuesday) to get ready for Wednesday. We can’t expect to give up four goals and win games.
“Number 10 (McLaughlin) has great stick skills. We overplayed the ball. We weren’t moving our feet. We were just overplaying the ball instead of us playing the ball. But we live to play another day. That is what it is all about. It was ugly but effective, you could say. But we showed a lot of heart. We don’t quit. I told the girls you are (mostly) seniors and to play as a team.’
“(In overtime) we had to keep connecting and make short passes,’ said Quinn. “We knew that you can’t over think everything.’
