Anya Kochanowicz scores four goals in Springfield’s PIAA-1A win over Lansdale Catholic
CONSHOHOCKEN >> Anya Kochanowicz scored four goals and assisted on two others in Springfield Montco’s 7-0 win over Lansdale Catholic Tuesday afternoon in the first round of the PIAA-1A playoffs at the Proving Grounds in Conshohocken.
“We had some really good passing combinations,” Kochanowicz said, “and we were really good at keeping the ball in our offensive 25 the whole time.”
The (1-2) Spartans scored four of their seven goals on penalty corners. Three of them were identical plays – once Charlotte Henry and twice Kochanowicz inserted the ball and headed to the side of the cage, where the ball came back and they buried it for the score.
“One of our coaches is really good at reading where the defense is playing,” Kochanowicz said. “We like to use that corner when it’s open on the post.”
Henry got the scoring started 7:20 into the game. Kochanowicz scored two goals later in the first half to send Springfield to halftime with a 3-0 advantage.
“I thought we did a nice job of using each other,” Springfield coach Linda Nixon said, “and we didn’t get flustered by a crowd in the circle. They had four inside the circle. I was really pleased with our effort.”
After a quiet start to the second half, the Spartans found the back of the cage four times in the final 15:48. Brigid Roy and Kaelen Loscalzo each scored once and Kochanowicz added two more goals.
The strong offensive game comes after Springfield couldn’t score or generate many offensive opportunities against New Hope-Solebury in a 2-0 District 1 championship defeat.
“Our game against New Hope was a really well-played game,” Kochanowicz said. “They’re very good. This was a big morale boost for the team to come here and put a lot of goals in.”
The Spartans advance to the quarterfinals Saturday and will face the winner of District 3 champion Greenwood and District 4 runner-up Bloomsburg at a site and time to be determined.
The loss brings an end to the (12-1) Crusaders season.
“I’m happy with our season,” LC coach Lisa Wright Polk said. “We had a lot of girls come out this year. This is my second year coaching. Everybody’s willing to learn. There is a time of adjustment for everybody. Unfortunately we have grass and were put on turf. Sometimes that switch is a challenge, but I’m happy with the girls, I’m proud of the girls for giving it their all.”
