Villa Joseph Marie ends Pottsgrove’s deepest District 1-3A run in semifinals

The Pottsgrove girls soccer program built for the last four-plus years toward Monday.

When this year’s senior class started as Falcons, they were a Pioneer Athletic Conference also-ran, a far cry from where they were Monday: in a District 1 Class 3A semifinal with a PIAA playoff berth on the line.

Monday’s optics were quite different for semifinal opponent Villa Joseph Marie, the perennial 3A powerhouse and reigning state champion. It was step 2 on the path toward its ultimate – and often attainable – goal of playing in the state championship game.

With history on its side, Villa Joseph Marie rode an 18th minute goal and then sealed the game with two more in a one-minute span in the late stages to defeat Pottsgrove, 3-0, to stay on course for a ninth-straight District 1 championship.

Senior Ciara Rago set up the Jems’ first two goals, the first with a strong run down the right wing and cross to the far post for a slam dunk finish from Katie Sullivan. Jillian Hunter benefited on the second score and then set up MK Peters’ third goal less than a minute later with 13:06 on the clock.

“I like making my teammates look better,” Rago said. “We all have speed and enjoy passing to each other. It works.”

Villa Joseph Marie (16-2-1 overall) advances to face the winner of Tuesday’s semifinal between Strath Haven and Nazareth Academy on Wednesday (5 p.m.) at Phoenixville.

Pottsgrove ends its campaign 16-6, the best season in program history and its first time reaching the District 1 semifinals.

“We all played the best that we can and all put our hearts into the entire game and it really showed,” Pottsgrove senior goalkeeper Summer Walker said. “I’m so proud of everybody. I’ve never played with a better group of girls in my entire life.”

“I’m OK leaving the field knowing I played my best game and we didn’t break down,” said senior defender Becca Delp, who was arguably the game’s best player Monday.

While the Jems’ controlled possession throughout and held Pottsgrove to only two shots until the final minute, the Pottsgrove defense of goalkeeper Walker (7 saves) and the back line of Delp, Lana Sorg, Keleigh Nihart and Ciara Garcia were outstanding, with support from midfielders Avery Makoid, Lexi Zook and Emily Vishio, holding VJM to only two shots on goal through 66 minutes.

“We went through the whole season playing teams that we weren’t supposed to beat and upsetting them,” Delp said. “We went into this game as any other game; we didn’t look at them like state champs.”

“It was phenomenal,” Walker said of the defensive performance. “We have the best back line and Becca leads it really well. All the girls worked hard and have each other’s back. And they have my back especially. I really appreciate them so much.”

The Falcons managed only one true scoring chance, in the 32nd minute when a Sorg free kick from midfield was headed by Eliana Paez and fell behind the defense for senior forward Skylar Glass. Glass’ near-post effort was dealt with by Jems goalkeeper Morgan Murphy (3 saves).

Sullivan was Villa Jo’s most consistent threat – she hit the crossbar in the opening minute and was dangerous down the left side – along with Emily Borell, Kennedy Kilchrist, Rago and Hunter.

The game changed with 14 minutes remaining when Pottsgrove moved Kutztown commit Delp to forward. The change unsettled the Falcons and the Jems immediately capitalized with its game-sealing scores by Hunter and Peters.

Villa Joseph Marie marches on into November, as has become customary for the 11-time state champions.

The Jems’ senior class has only ever known the season ending in Hershey — they were runners-up in 2016 and 2017 and champions in 2018 — and plan to keep that date.

“We want to go to the state championship, Hershey,” Rago said. “(Last year) was amazing. We want to keep the tradition going.”

Pottsgrove says goodbye to a senior class featuring Delp, Walker, Glass, Megan Grace, Hannah Phillips, Anna Crater, Chloe Shivak-Manogue and Sammi Lin. It’s a group that ushered in a sea change for Pottsgrove girls soccer.

“I remember in eighth grade we said to each other, ‘We’re going to make a difference in high school,’” Delp said.

“It’s crazy how much we’ve changed. It’s amazing,” Walker said.

NOTES >> Villa Joseph Marie led in shots on goal (10-3) and shot attempts (22-4) and corner kicks (6-0). … Pottsgrove was without junior forward Hailey Strain, who was serving a suspension from a red card received in an Oct. 19 match against Neshaminy.