PAC-10 playoff preview capsules
Frontier No. 1 Phoenixville (17-1) vs. Liberty No. 2 Owen J. Roberts (12-6), 6 p.m.
PAC-10 records: Phoenixville 12-1; Owen J. Roberts 10-3.
Last encounter: Phoenixville 1-0 on Sept. 24.
Last PAC-10 Championship: Phoenixville 1998; Owen J. Roberts 2011.Phantoms facts/figures: It’s been a memorable season for the newly-minted Class AAA Phantoms who are coming off its best season in recent memory after being toppled by Owen J. Roberts in last year’s PAC-10 semifinal. Team features Old Dominion recruit Bailey Quinn, who broke the Phantoms single-season goal scoring record earlier this season. Her 34 goals on the year was tops in the nation as of last week. Forward line also features Rose Moore, sister of Spring-Ford coach Jennie Anderson, and Bishop Shanahan transfer Haley White (seven goals, five assists). Both have had a monstrous impact while TJ Jefferis (seven goals, nine assists), Katie McErlean (10 goals, one assist) and Brogan Heisey (five goals, one assist) all played major roles in leading the team to a undefeated PAC-10 record before its loss to Perkiomen Valley. … Kim Rutherford (90.83) is second in the PAC-10 in save percentage and was phenomenal in the team’s last game against the Wildcats, posting 10 saves. … For head coach John Tornetta, the mentality has stayed the same throughout the season; take one game at a time. “We’re taking it one game at a time at this point,’ Tornetta said. “It’s been a terrific season, going 17-1. Our seniors have been playing together for many years which is showing out on the field.’
Wildcats facts/figures: Attempting to turn the tables after a 1-0 loss to the Phantoms earlier this season, a game in which head coach Clarence Jennelle and assistant coach Tony Montes were ejected in the late stages. … Looking for first PAC-10 title since 2011 after losing to Upper Perkiomen in last season’s final. Midfielder Nettie Montes headlines a bunch that, like Perkiomen Valley, has a plethora of different ways to beat you. … Corinne Gerber is potent at attack, leading the team with 12 goals and 12 assists while sister Courtney Gerber is equally as adept at the midfield. Keeley White has provided an extra scoring punch for the team, scoring eight goals while registering eight assists this season. Defense is led by Sam Garritano and has given up 18 goals all season — only six coming from its three PAC-10 losses.
Liberty No. 1 Perkiomen Valley (15-3) vs. Frontier No. 2 Upper Perk (8-9-1), 8 p.m.
PAC-10 records: Perkiomen Valley 13-0; Upper Perkiomen 7-5-1.
Last encounter: Perkiomen Valley 2-1 on Sept. 17.
Last PAC-10 Championship: Perkiomen Valley 2007; Upper Perkiomen 2013.
Vikings facts/figures: Head coach Erik Enters and Perkiomen Valley enter the PAC-10 Final Four for the second time in three years and will look for their first championship since 2007. … Team was hit by the injury bug last year as eight varsity starters were out at one given time. … Health has aided the Vikings as they are headed by a slew of athletes across the board. … Kelsey Giese, Mara Wrzesniewski, Annie Himsworth, Emily Nagle and Laura Shelton headline a squad that doesn’t rely on one scorer. Eleven players on the roster have tallied goals for the team. … Goalkeeper Kerri Hanshaw had won the starting position late in the season but backup Miranda Wesley has been solid as well, posting a 88.89 save percentage…. Vikings are coming off two straight non-league losses but Enters is hoping for a promising PAC-10 playoff run. “Coming off a 1-2 week with two humbling defeats to Henderson and Unionville have the girls fired up and ready to prove themselves,’ Enters said. “It’s never fun to lose, but this past week has proved to be motivating and has gotten the girls more focused on the PAC-10s and Districts.’
Tribe facts/figures: Head coach Jamie Warren and the Tribe are looking to become first PAC-10 team to repeat as champion since Owen J. Roberts won three straight titles from 2009-2011. Team has seen a noticeable decline in scoring as its 40 goals scored rank fifth in the conference. … Putting that in perspective, graduated Casey Umstead scored 51 for the team last season. … Attack is headlined by Aubrey Wilcox (nine goals), Sam Dingler and Hannah Mack, all of whom bring a veteran presence after being key figures in the Tribe’s PIAA quarterfinalist squad of last season. … Backline is rife with youth which could spell problems against Perkiomen Valley’s veteran attack and midfield. … Have won three of their last four but all those wins were against teams with sub-500 records. “Playoff time is the best part of the field hockey season and is something that we look forward to each year,’ Warren said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to have advanced into the PAC 10 playoffs. Our best hockey is yet to come.’
