Lowery, Malone both score twice, Pennridge routs Central in PIAA-4A opener

PHILADELPHIA >> In the first round of the PIAA Class 4A tournament, the Pennridge girls soccer team crushed District 12 champion Central 8-0 Tuesday night at Northeast High School.

The Rams got huge momentum in the first half, scoring six goals in the first half  in advancing to Saturday’s quarterfinals to face District 11 champ Parkland, a 2-0 winner over Downingtown East.

Highlighting the game was the duo of Leah Malone and Liv Lowery, who each had two goals in the victory.

“It means a lot to score two goals in a state playoff game,” said Malone. “This team has worked so hard and it’s special to score two goals as a freshman in a state playoff game but maybe I just do it for the team.”

Lowery, a sophomore, was thrilled two contribute in the team’s win, especially in the state playoffs.

“I’m really excited moving forward because this team worked really hard,” said Lowery. “I haven’t spent a lot of time with the varsity team but it’s great to help and it’s helping me get better as a player.”

Pennridge head coach Audrey Anderson was excited to see her team advance to the state quarterfinals for the second time in three years.

“I think it was huge to have our seniors lead us on the field,” said Anderson. “Because they were sophomores the last time they went to states so we needed that experience to play out on the field today.”

“The message at the beginning of the year was that we have unfinished business,” added Anderson. “When we lost to Quakertown last year, we learned that we can be beaten. So the message was that we have unfinished business and you can’t that for granted.”

Pennridge 8, Central 0
Pennridge 6 2 -8
Central 0 0 -0
GOALS: Pennridge: Malone 2; Lowery 2; Hendricks 1; McIntyre 1; Groff 1; Tasher 1.