O’Donnell’s two goals push NP past CB East
North Penn’s Brianna O’Donnell (5) is congratulated by teammates on Tuesday.
TOWAMENCIN >> North Penn’s second-half intensity was personified by a hustling Bri O’Donnell.
“Bri’s a really exciting player,” Maidens coach Shannon McCracken said of the sophomore forward, “and she has that capability to raise the level of play of her teammates by making a big play.”
O’Donnell made one big play, then another. Breaking a scoreless tie midway through the second half, she outraced multiple defenders, took the ball all the way into the circle, and — after an initial save by Central Bucks East keeper Sydney Richter — banged home the rebound to put North Penn in front for good.
“Taking that ball and putting the game on her shoulders…you could see everyone around her started playing a little bit harder because of that,” McCracken said. “And she’s just a tough kid. She gives a ton of effort, has a ton of heart, and you love to have her on your team.”
O’Donnell followed up with another goal minutes later, leading the Maidens to a 2-0 victory over rival Central Bucks East in a Suburban One League Continental Conference game, Tuesday afternoon on the turf at NP.
The win pushed North Penn (6-3 in the conference) closer to the top of the conference, just a half game behind the Patriots (6-2) and a couple games behind leader Central Bucks West (7-0).
“In the second half, we talked about how we’re gonna come out with everything we had,” O’Donnell said. “We knew CB East is a really tough team — we lost (3-1) to them earlier in the year (on Sept. 11). It was a good win. We’re really giving a lot each game.”
O’Donnell doubled the Maidens’ lead to 2-0 with a little under 15 minutes to play, battling for a loose ball in the circle and knocking it through.
“Emily Crawford hit it and it just bounced off (Richter),” O’Donnell said. “I just happen to knock it between her legs when she wasn’t on her feet.”
O’Donnell’s scoring touch was the perfect finisher for a Maidens team that controlled the ball for the majority of play. They managed a dozen shots in the contest, limiting the Patriots to five, all of which were secured by NP keeper Brynne Schoppe.
“We really wanted to make sure we started from the whistle and played a hard 60 minutes,” McCracken said. “And when you set the tone for the game, it makes a huge difference.”
North Penn aims for another conference win at home against Quakertown Thursday, while CB East hosts Hatboro-Horsham that same afternoon.
