CB South switches goalies and wins; ousts Council Rock North in PKs
NEWTOWN — When it was all over, Council Rock North senior Michaela Finneyfrock sat prone on the ground. Moments before, her penalty kick was knocked away from the goal by CB South sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Marinelli, securing a 3-2 triple overtime triumph favor: the 27th-seeded Titans in a District 1 playoff opener Thursday afternoon at Walt Snyder Stadium.
Called up from JV after an injury to CB South sophomore netminder Sophia Boggs, Marinelli had just entered the game when it went to a shootout, taking over for senior Kelliann Bolash, who stymied the Rock through regulation and two overtime periods.
“During practice for PKs, we realized that she was particularly good at it,’ said Titans head coach Betsy Bullock. “She’s tall and she’s athletic so we put her in for the PKs.’
It was a move that worked as Marinelli made saves on CR North seniors Madison Attanasio and Finneyfrock — two of the best players on the Lady Indians’ roster.
The sixth seed in the tournament, North actually led the PK session, 1-0, after junior Tori Hill put the first goal into the right side of the net. The Indians also led, 2-1, when freshman Mia Scalamandre put one onto the top shelf behind Marinelli.
CB South capitalized on its last three attempts however with junior Emily Andrusco, freshman Mackenzie Ehresman and senior Jessica Volm scoring for the Titans. When up and coming freshman Becca Margolis poked North’s fourth attempt over the net and Volm put hers into the left side, it all came down to Finneyfrock.
“The first couple, I just kind of guessed and went,’ said Marinelli. “As soon as I saw every other girl going left, I knew she was going there too. There was no doubt she was going left; it’s just logic.’
Marinelli guessed right on Rock’s first and last PK shots, sending her team to the Round of 16 against 22-seeded Great Valley, a 1-0 winner over No. 11 Garnet Valley.
For the Indians, it ended a solid season where the girls finished in third place in the Suburban One National League and won 13 games overall on the season. Ironically, North played the part of the spoiler last year in the opening round of districts when the Rock sent 13th-seeded Downingtown West home early after beating the Whippets 4-3 in PKs.
Coming into playoffs is really, really tough,’ said Hill, afterwards. “You’re motivated and you want to do well. Sometimes, it just isn’t happening and it’s not your day; it’s frustrating.’
“It took us a little while to get into the game but there’s nothing you can do about it.’
After trading blows for 80 minutes with the Titans, the Indians came out in the overtime inspired. With the wind at its back, North outshot CB South, 6-1 in the first extra session. With less than 10 seconds left in the first OT, Ehresman nearly ended the game much earlier when she narrowly missed the net after connecting on a cross in front on the Indians’ net. Conversely, Margolis missed a great chance when Bolash stoned her in front of the Titans net with 6:30 to go in regulation.
“Every shot ignites every team,’ said Hill. “Every little thing is motivating when you’ve got an offensive attack.
“I think we were the better team; things just didn’t go our way today. I’m really disappointed.’
In the second OT, going against the wind, North generated little offense as CB South put five of the first six shots on net. The Titans seemed to roll, from there.
Initially, before the playoff bracket was rearranged, the Indians were due to face 28th-seeded Owen J Roberts. As fate would have it, the Wildcats nipped 5th-seeded Pennridge, 2-1 to advance and play 12th-seeded Plymouth-Whitemarsh, a 2-1 winner over No. 21 seed Wissahickon.
CR North ends its season at 13-5-1 overall, 9-4-1 in the SOL National Conference. After finishing fourth in the SOL Continental Conference with a 6-5-3 record, CB South pushes to 9-6-3 overall.
