Great Valley nips Neshaminy in OT to advance in District 1 playoffs

LANGHORNE – For 63 and a half minutes, a header by Great Valley senior Mike Carrigan off a cross from senior Nate Shackleton stood as the only goal in Saturday’s District One second round playoff Oct. 25 at Neshaminy’s Harry Franks Stadium.

In the final 18 minutes of the skirmish – which went to overtime – the goals came with a flurry. The Skins tallied twice in the last 16 and a half minutes of regulation to send the duel to an extra period.

Unfortunately for the home fans, it took the Patriots just 1:11 to put Neshaminy on ice for the season when GV senior Nate Shackleton sent a cross through the Skins goalmouth, finding senior captain Kyle Hoops all alone in front of the net.

Hoops made no mistake, blasting the ball past defenseless goalkeeper Chris Rush to send the defending D-1 champion Patriots to a district quarterfinal matchup against West Chester Rustin – a 1-0 winner over North Penn – Tuesday, Oct. 28 in enemy territory.

“We knew a goal was coming because we were playing well this game,” said Shackleton. “It was great to come out and get it so quick because we knew we all were tired.”

It was a tough way to end the season for the Suburban One National League champion Skins, who entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed after going 16-2 in the regular season.

“This loss is a little bit tough to take,” said Neshaminy head coach Tom Foley. “You work so hard all year and the boys put a lot of time in but it’s one of those things. The ball didn’t bounce where we needed it to in overtime.

“I just feel bad for the seniors because they all had a heck of a career.”

The Skins fought back twice to tie the Round of 16 playoff including an own goal in the 57th minute that was credited to sophomore Dylan McDonald that tied the score at 1-all and a near picture-perfect strike from senior forward Kevin Goetz off a beautiful feed from classmate Kenny Herrmann.