Conestoga edges Downingtown West to advance to 3A finals

BERWYN—Back in early September when Downingtown West hosted Conestoga, everyone present knew that it was unlikely to be the last time the two teams met. Two of the best field hockey teams in the county were all but assured to meet during the district playoffs. The seedings shook out, the Pioneers pulled down the top seed, with the Whippets coming in as the No. 5, meaning that second time around was going to come in the semi-finals, with a berth in the championship finale on the line.

As is always the case when these two teams meet, it was a fast paced, high intensity game, with lots of back and forth momentum changes, great offensive pressure from both squads, and great defense and goalie play. But in the end, it was the host Pioneers (19-1) who prevailed, edging the Whippets (16-4-1) by a score of 2-1.

With the win, Conestoga moves on to Saturday’s District 1, Class 3A finals, where they will face Garnet Valley, a 4-3 winner over Methacton in an overtime shootout Tuesday. The game is slated for a 6PM start on Saturday at Methacton High School.

“We were really prepared for the kind of intensity that West was going to bring,” said Conestoga coach Regan Marscher. “That’s just the way this rivalry has been. Five years and a day ago, we beat them in semis and then won the district title, so we just focused on super intense play. These are two extremely talented teams, and at times this really felt like it was a final.”

West had the first big opportunity of the night, awarded a penalty corner a little over two minutes in, but Alex Lepore made a great save to keep the Whippets off the board.

“We did a great job keeping our composure, especially on the corners,” said Lepore of the play of the defense. “We communicated really well all night to help clear the ball. It’s really exciting to be headed to a district championship game.”

Lepore, just a sophomore, was unfazed all night, often while being peppered with shots from the aggressive Whippets.

“Alex is such a talented and dedicated player,” said Marscher of her goalie. “I don’t think she gets a lot of recognition because in our league, she doesn’t face a whole lot of shots. But she showed what she can do tonight against a tough team.”

A first period goal from Kate Galica stood as the difference headed into the third period, but after forcing four penalty corners in the first three minutes of the third, West broke through with a goal from Ashley Plzak to tie the game at a goal apiece. 

The Whippets barely had time to celebrate the goal before the found themselves trailing once again. On Conestoga’s ensuing possession, they moved quickly inside the circle, and forced a corner. Galica put the ball in play on the insert, sending it to Shae Wozniak at the top of the circle. Wozniak slammed it home for the go ahead goal, a score that would hold up as the game-winner.

“It was huge to respond that way,” said Wozniak. “It’s something we’ve been good at all year—coming back when someone scores on us. I saw a chance to get through the defender, and my sole priority was getting it in the back of the cage.”

Despite the loss, the Whippets’ season is far from over. West will play host to Methacton in the third place game, and have already clinched a slot in the PIAA tournament, which kicks off next Tuesday.

“The girls played well,” said West coach Steph Bullock. “We didn’t capitalize on corners the way we can, and had some other mishaps, but overall played well, on both sides of the field. They worked hard, it just didn’t go our way. We’ll just have to get back to work Friday and look forward to states.”

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In other area action, Villa Maria punched its ticket to the Class 2A championships, surviving a late surge from Merion Mercy. Gia Whalen scored the game’s first goal unassisted, then the Hurricanes’ Caroline O’Brien scored in overtime to give Villa the 2-1 victory. The Hurricanes will face Gwynedd Mercy, a 4-2 winner over Upper Perkiomen, Saturday at Methacton. Game time is 4PM.

In the Class 3A play back bracket, it was Great Valley pinning down a slot in the state tournament, with a 1-0 win over Kennett. Nadia Nemeth had the game’s lone goal, coming in the first period. In the seeding game on Friday, the Ptriots will travel to Souderton in the fifth place game.

The Blue Demons still have a shot to reach states with a top seven finish, and will travel to Wissahickon Friday for the do-or-die game.