Pennsbury keeper Kayla Kunde steps up in District 1 playoff win over Downingtown West

With Pennsbury’s first-string goalkeeper Nany Santiago on the bench nursing a concussion she suffered weeks ago, it was up to reserve net minder Kayla Kunde to step up onto the big stage that is the District 1 playoffs.

Kunde stood between the pipes just twice this season though one of those outings was a 1-all double overtime tie with SOL National Conference rival and district quarterfinalist Council Rock South, a battle that took place Oct. 17 at home with a playoff atmosphere abound.

Unfortunately, that was the last action Kunde saw between the regular season and the Lady Falcons’ second-round playoff pairing with 16th-seeded Downingtown West. The top seed in the tournament, Pennsbury received a bye in the first round then had to wait two more days when the District 1 czars screwed up the playoff pairings.

Of course, none of that mattered when the Falcons faced the Whippets Saturday night (Oct. 25) at Macclesfield.

While Pennsbury outshot Downingtown 15-2 in the first half, the Falcons failed to put one into the back of the net, leaving the Whippets in contention for the steal in the win-or-go-home playoff.

Fortunately for the home fans, Pennsbury sophomore Mary Webb connected with one of numerous crossing passes sent across the goalmouth by senior Uche Onuoha in the 63rd minute and Kunde tossed a shutout, her second of the season since replacing Santiago.

Kunde credited her defense with the win.”My defense has been pulling through for me and I’ve been relying on them,’ she said. “It’s been a team effort. I don’t take anything away from them. Any kind of saves I’ve had to make are nothing compared to the saves that my defense has made.’