Hatboro-Horsham’s season ends with District 1-AAA first round loss to West Chester East

WEST GOSHEN — A 3-1 final score gives no idea of how close Monday’s District 1-AAA opening round game between the 22nd-seeded Hatboro-Horsham and 11th-seeded West Chester East. It was instantly obvious the intensity the playoff atmosphere created and how little separated the two teams.

“It was a great game,’ Hatboro-Horsham coach Laura Swezey said. “It was all around a great game to watch.’

West Chester East’s Maddy Lewis opened the scoring about midway through the first half as she capitalized on a good corner set up to give the Vikings the early lead. The Lewis goal would remain the difference until halftime.

Just one minute into the second half, Lewis struck again putting West Chester East up by two. The Hatters responded however, as Hatboro-Horsham’s Casey Swezey ripped a shot off a nice individual effort to cut the Viking lead to one, with 27 minutes still to play.

“Through different parts of the game we thought, ‘˜yes’, (like) when its 2-1,’ Swezey said. “We had some opportunities but we didn’t capitalize.’

Hatboro-Horsham made numerous runs throughout the game but West Chester East almost always had the answer defensively. With about five minutes to go the Hatters had best chance to get back in the game came. Hatboro-Horsham got five corner opportunities in row but the Hatter’s could not figure out how to get one into the cage.

“We got our shots off,’ Swezey said of the corner chances. “Their goalie made some nice saves too. I thought our corners were working from that stand point.’

Even though the Hatters surrendered three goals, the last of which coming with 34 seconds lefts, the Hatters still played a nice game defensively including goalie Emily Braunwell as the keeper made nine saves with a few spectacular efforts.

“It was great. My last game as a senior, you can’t ask for anything else.’ Braunwell said. “You just have all of your players go out and do the best that they can and it was amazing.’

Even though the Hatboro-Horsham season ends with an opening round playoff loss, the season is still a success for the Hatters.

“(We had) a great season,’ Swezey said. “I think four or five games we lost by a goal. Coming into this we felt really good and I’m really proud of the way the kids played.’