Downingtown West caps title-winning season with shutout of W.C. Rustin
DOWNINGTOWN — Downingtown West’s matchup against visiting West Chester Rustin played out in much the same way its season has.
A slow start followed by a furious finish.
The Whippets controlled much of the action from the outset, but simply couldn’t finish in the early going, and clung to a one goal lead at the half.
But the frustration became motivation, and turned a tight contest into a runaway.
West exploded for eight second half goals en route to a 9-0 blanking over Rustin, to put an exclamation point on its Ches-Mont National Division championship season.
“We struggled connecting and getting to the ball and finishing in the circle,’ said West coach Liz Morrow. “Fortunately in the second half, we did a 180 and turned things in the right direction. We starting connecting on our passes and finishing strong.’
Leading the scoring parade were seniors Nikki Freeman and Savannah Cabaddu. Freeman found the back of the cage on four separate occasions, and was credited with an assist on another goal. Cabaddu had a hat trick, while also being credited with a trio of assists. Katie Hoerman and Romea Riccardo scored the other two goals.
The victory sends the Whippets into the District 1 Class AAA tournament riding a win streak dating back to September 11, when West lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Downingtown East. The loss was their third for West in its first five games.
Since that point, the Whippets have reeled off 12 straight victories.
“We had such a tough early season schedule,’ said Morrow. “We had a couple losses in overtime, so we just really worked to overcome things as a team, improving our play and connecting with each other. It’s been great to see that steady progression in the month since.’
The first big win of the season came barely a week later when West topped Unionville, edging the eventual American Division champs, 1-0. The Indians have not lost since in earning the top seed in the district tournament, while West earned the No. 4 seed and a first-round bye heading into the playoffs..
“That has been our best game of the year,’ said Freeman. “That was a really close game, and really helped us come together as a team. Without the win, I don’t know where we would have gone. It was a really big win for our confidence.’
When the Indians topped the Cougars last week, it all but sealed the deal for the Whippets to clinch the National Division.
“We honestly didn’t think our senior year would be the year we won the Ches-Mont,’ said Cabaddu. “There’s not just one person coming through for us, it’s up and down the line-up, so we’re winning games as a team. To win all the games since the tough start feels really good.’
West will have little time to enjoy the Ches-Mont National title, the first at West since 2010. The Whippets will now have to take things up another notch when they take the field next Wednesday for the first district playoff game.
“Winning the title and finishing the season the way we did does give us a lot of confidence going into districts,’ said Freeman. “But we have a lot of work still to do. The teams we play are just going to get stronger, and the games tougher. We can’t feel like we’re at the top of our game right now. We have to keep pushing to get better.’
Morrow agreed.
“District (playoffs are) a whole new season and everyone is 0-0,’ said Morrow. “We can’t let our record or our season get in our head too much. If we keep improving, we’ll keep moving on. But it is a wonderful feeling to be back on top of the league after sitting in second and third the past few years.’
