Cougars blank WC East in weather-shortened contest
By Bryan Davis
bdavis@dailylocal.com
@btdavis25 on Twitter
WEST GOSHEN >> High School girls soccer games usually lasts 40 minutes, sometimes longer. But, on Monday evening, it took a little less for Downingtown East to come away with a 2-0 victory over West Chester East in a Ches-Mont League National Division contest that was called almost midway through the second half due to lightning in the area.
“It’s nice to come out with a 2-0 win against a division opponent,” said Downingtown East coach Jason Luzak. “It’s always nice to play against West Chester East, who has some nice little players.”
The Cougars (1-0, Ches-Mont National, 4-2-1 overall) started off pressuring the Vikings, having a majority of the possession and hemming them in.
Sydney Slusser, an All-State selection last season, was called into service 12 minutes into the game as Katie Edwards found herself open from about 15 yards away and fired shot that Slusser touched over the bar.
Downingtown East took the lead with 27:50 left. Edwards sent a cross that was met by a wide open Makaela Tepley, who’s thumping header went past Slusser and into the net for a 1-0 lead.
“We had a cross from Katie Edwards, who it was first time playing right wing,” said Luzak. “Makaela jumps up and heads the ball inside the right post and scores upper 90. That was fantastic.”
Slusser made five saves in the first half, including a couple of diving stops to keep the score at 1-0.
“First half we put them under a lot of pressure. We were connecting passes, when we lost the ball, we swarmed them and kept them in their end,” said Luzak. “Second half, they were able to make a few passes (Molly) Smeins found some clever ways to get behind us and they had two or three good shots. Fortunately, we were able to keep them out.”
The Vikings (0-2, 0-4-1) were held without a shot until 26:46 mark when a long-range effort from Zoe Specht was stopped by D-East keeper Lillian Matte.
The Cougars went into the break with the 1-0 advantage as the skies darkened around Harold I. Zimmerman Stadium.
West Chester East started to see more of the ball and the possession in the second half, stringing together passes and making more frequent forays in the Cougars’ end.
But, still, the next goal went to Downingtown East. Tepley turned provider as she took off down the right side and found Madison Shumate at the top of the 18-yard box. She took a touch to set herself up, then unleashed a left-footed shot that few past Slusser into the net for a 2-0 lead.
“She (Tepley) makes a 40-yard run down the wing, finds Shumate and she puts the ball away. That was brillant,” added Luzak.
A couple of minutes after the goal, the thunder and lightning showed up and the games was at first paused, then called to give the Cougars the 2-0 victory and all six points in their two National contests.
“It’s nice to get some wins under our belts, especially against some good teams, but we lost Owen J. 2-1. We lost to Episcopal, 2-1. So, we’ll see if we can put things together and rally to the end of the year.”
West Chester East visits Sun Valley on Wednesday, while Downingtown East plays host to West Chester Henderson at DiSerafino Stadium.
Downingtown East 2, West Chester East 0
Downingtown East 1 1 — 2
West Chester East 0 0 — 0
Downingtown East goals: Tepley, Shumate.
Goalie saves: Matte (DE) 4; Slusser (WCE) 7.
