Methacton ends PV’s chance at PAC-10 playoffs
FAIRVIEW VILLAGE >> The ball’s in your corner now, Spring-Ford.
On Friday evening, Methacton got into rhythm early and only got stronger as the game wore on.
The Warriors — finishing off what many would call an underachieving run through the Pioneer Athletic Conference this regular season — took down Perkiomen Valley, 15-10, to end both team’s inter-conference regular season.
As a result of the loss, Perkiomen Valley’s shot at the No. 2 seed in the Liberty Division comes to an end at 8-5 (11-5 overall). Spring-Ford can claim the spot with a win against Owen J. Roberts Saturday, currently sitting at 8-4; 13-4. If the Rams lose to OJR, the Warriors (8-5; 10-6) can still sneak into the Final Four playoffs via tiebreaker (head-to-head record vs. Perk Valley).
Leading the charge, Methacton junior Jackie Cerchio scored her team’s first five goals en route to a game-high seven scores to go along with three assists. Senior Sara Hughes (three goals) scored her 200th career goal to open up the second half while Daria Lucchesi scored twice and posted an assist on the day.
“I just really wanted to get it over with,” admitted Hughes of her 200th goal. “Last game, against Owen J. (May 4), I had four to go and I only scored twice there. I wanted to finish it off so we could get on to it and shift our focus to just executing our offense.”
“We really came together as a team,” said Cerchio. “We knew they (Vikings) would come out strong and we needed to come out stronger. My teammates found me on some good looks and I finished them off.”
Methacton’s offensive execution was in sync the entire duration. The Warriors controlled the possession throughout, executing the offense seamlessly in front of the PV goal.
“When we’re on, we’re really on,” said Methacton head coach Laurie Markle. “Today was one of those days. Jackie helped spark our offense early on and we were able to keep it rolling from there.”
Holding a 6-5 lead at the halftime break, Hughes secured the ball off the draw, bounced off a pair of PV defenders and flicked it into the net for to make it 7-5.
“Our offense really rolled after that,” said Hughes.
Methacton opened the second half with seven-unanswered goals. Perkiomen Valley didn’t register a shot on goal until about 11 minutes into the second half when the score was already 13-5.
“I think we started to realize that we’re better than we were playing in the first half,” said Hughes. “We wanted to get it done and make sure we had enough space to secure the win.”
Addie Frey finished with six saves in front of the Methacton goal while Deb Peifer had a goal and an assist and Gretchen Alderfer and Anna Price each chipped in a goal.
Perkiomen Valley senior Christie Balestra was able to stop the bleeding with 11 minutes left, when she forced a turnover in front of the goal and shot it past Frey to make it 13-6.
Yet playing against the clock and Methacton’s execution down the stretch ultimately proved too much by the time the buzzer sounded.
Balestra finished with three goals and an assist while Kat Kelley had three goals and two assists. Anna Koniencki had a pair of scores — both in the first 20 minutes — while Paige Tyson had a score and two assists and Abby Bergman scored once.
“I’m proud of this team,” said PV head coach Kathy Kelley. “They had a great season and played with heart, class and sportsmanship. I wish they could have extended their PAC-10 season, but it just wasn’t our time.”
NOTES >> Koniencki now sits at 99 career goals.
