Goalie competition good for PAC-10 undefeated Perkiomen Valley

GRATERFORD — Kerri Hanshaw was just another statistic for Perkiomen Valley in 2013.

And not a good one.

The then-sophomore keeper sat out the majority of the 2013 season with a torn labrum as the Vikings rolled to a 7-2 record early, only to have seven different starters appear on the injured list en route to a 3-7 finish to the season.

This year, it seems as if good fortunes are rearing back to the land of orange and brown, especially for Hanshaw.

Fast forward a year from her 2013 return from surgery and the junior goalkeeper has separated herself just enough to earn the starting nod over Miranda Wesley. The two make up a devastating tandem that has limited teams to just 0.45 goals per game for the PAC-10 undefeated Vikings (9-0 PAC-10, 11-1 overall).

“I knew coming into this season that once I got cleared that I was really going to have to step it up,’ Hanshaw said. “Coming back and watching Miranda play, I was really proud of the way she stepped it up as a freshman. But I knew I had to get my level of play back up there.’

The starting nod is tentative, but Hanshaw has earned the spot over a keeper that was a key catalyst to the Vikings survival last year. In her debut campaign, Wesley posted a 81 percent save percentage — good for sixth in the PAC-10 and six shutouts, trailing only Upper Perkiomen’s Hannah Mack, who registered 11 shutouts for the District 1-AA and PAC-10 Champion.

Knowing Wesley’s ability coupled with the Vikings’ failure to make the PAC-10 playoffs a season ago have been sources of motivation for the X-Calibur club keeper.

“I know Miranda is chomping at the bit to come back and play, I just know that I have to work harder and faster to maintain this spot,’ Hanshaw said.

So far, she’s been stellar in the starting position, racking up 11 saves in a 1-0 victory over Neshaminy (6-2 Suburban One National) followed by a 12-save performance in a 2-0 victory over previously undefeated and PAC-10 Frontier leader Phoenixville.

The Vikings square off with Owen J. Roberts on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. A win over the Wildcats (7-2) and a Methacton (6-3) loss to Boyertown would guarantee PV a spot in the PAC-10 Final Four.

Power Rankings?

Fear not but the District 1 Power Rankings should be released sometime this week. When it is published check www.gametimepa.com and www.pottsmerc.com for the updated list.

Chances to clinch

Phoenixville (8-1 PAC-10) has already clinched a berth into the PAC-10 playoffs but can clinch the No. 1 seed in the Frontier Division with a win over Pottsgrove on Monday. Upper Perkiomen can clinch the No. 2 seed in the Frontier with a win over Pottstown on Wednesday.

Record Breaker

Phoenixville’s Bailey Quinn eclipsed the Phantoms’ school record in goals per season with 29, breaking the record of record of 28 that was held by former Phoenixville and Alvernia University standout Miranda Peto. Quinn’s projected goal total has fallen short of the 51 Upper Perkiomen’s Casey Umstead registered last year, however, she is well on her way to being the area’s leading scorer. The Old Dominion recruit has 49 goals the past two seasons for the Phantoms.

 

Philly Proud

Pottstown’s Ebony Reddick was named the Philafieldhockey.com Defender of the Week. The freshman faced 94 shots on goal in three games last week and recorded an astounding 81 saves, while compiling an 86 percent save percentage — not bad for a gauntlet of games against Liberty Divison leader Perkiomen Valley, No. 2 Owen J. Roberts and a resurgent Spring-Ford. For the full article, Click here.

 

Resurgent Rams

Dating back to Sept. 19, Spring-Ford has compiled a 3-0-1 record in its last four games, outscoring its opposition 14-2 during that span. Goalkeepers Nicole Sellman and Claire Kraft have found their mojo, as they have only allowed seven goals the last two weeks. The first two weeks of the season, the Rams were outscored 28-2 … not a bad turnaround.

Around the Area

Daniel Boone had a 1-1 week, topping Governor Mifflin, 2-1, before falling to Wilson 1-0. Kirsten Gabbett has led a strong contingent of Blazers with 11 goals as the team sits at No. 15 in the District 3 Power Rankings. The Blazers haven’t appeared in the District 3 playoffs since 2006, when they lost in the quarterfinals to eventual champion and perennial powerhouse Lower Dauphin.