Souderton walks away proud after season-ending loss to Lower Dauphin

DERRY >> Despite Souderton’s season coming to an end Tuesday night, the Indians left the field with pride.

They held their heads high when they returned to their bench from the handshake line following a 2-0 loss to Lower Dauphin in the first round of the PIAA Class-3A playoffs at Henry Hershey Field on the campus of the Milton Hershey School.

“We really rose to the occasion,” Souderton coach Sue Casciato said. “I think we knew they were going to be good. We didn’t quit until the end.”

The Indians were proud of their 2018 season, which saw them return to the state playoffs for the first time in 12 years before running into the District 3 perennial powerhouse.

“We finished second in our league,”Casciato said. “We ended up being 17-5. I don’t think we’ve had a .500 season in a number of years. It was a good year.”

Souderton’s defense was impressive in the win. The ball was in the Indians end nearly the entire game, yet they only allowed two goals. Goalie Jordan Michalak made nine saves.

“Our defense has been really strong all year,” Casciato said. “Usually we don’t have any trouble scoring goals, so obviously we came up against a very talented team.”

The Falcons scored once in each half. Emma O’Neill scored with ten minutes left in the first half and Audrey Domovich found the back of the cage midway through the second.

“They’re physical,” Casciato said of the Falcons. “They’re all good size. You can tell they’re all natural athletes. The way they move they’re so fluid, I’m sure they’ve all been playing together for a long time. Good coaching. They have it all.”