Souderton clinches spot in states with win over Council Rock South

FRANCONIA >> Souderton Area’s second-half charisma has the team headed to states.

Big Red rallied back from a 1-0 hole to win 2-1 over Council Rock South in playbacks on Tuesday, clinching a spot in the PIAA-3A Tournament.

“We’re really a second-half team,” Indians coach Sue Casciato said. “Even if we get down a goal or two, we don’t give up. It was a little sloppy, a little bit slower on this (new turf) field with it being wet. And after playing Owen J. Roberts on a lightning-fast field on Friday, I think it took a while to adjust.

“But, they played us hard. And we’re lucky enough to have an extra goal.”

Sixth-seeded Souderton will finish out District 1-3A Playbacks on Friday, at Garnet Valley or Central Bucks East. A fine season for No. 10 Council Rock South came to a close.

The Indians went ahead 2-1 with 23 minutes, 28 seconds to go, on a hard-hit ground ball by Courtney Kenah.

“That was awesome. It was tied for so long and I think that really pushed us,” Kenah said. “We just held strong the rest of the game. That was a good feeling.

“(Going to states) is amazing. This was on the list of things to get done at the beginning of the season – we went to states last year. We wanted to prove we’re just as good this year and get it done again. Last year, we got knocked out in the first round so this year we’re hoping to win the seeding game, get a better seed, and go further in states.”

Souderton had confidence things would start clicking and connecting on the offensive end.

“I wasn’t worried,” Kenah said. “We’ve been losing a lot of games by one and we’ve come back. I knew we could get it done. It was just a matter of pulling it together and doing it.”

Rock South went up 1-0 on a goal by Kate Cocco but Souderton tied it on a penalty stroke by Anna Gwiadzinski to make it 1-1 at the half. Big Red momentum carried over into the final 30 minutes.

“We haven’t played Souderton in quite some time so it was nice to see them in the playoffs,” Hawks coach Lisa Belz said. “They’re definitely a good team and it was a competitive game. It was back and forth.

“I’m very pleased with my team. I think they did a great job today. And I wish Souderton luck in states.”