Tannert-Schmidt’s goal lifts Strath Haven

NETHER PROVIDENCE — The Strath Haven girls soccer team advanced in the District One AAA playoffs Thursday night in dramatic fashion. After West Chester Henderson tied the game with 5:54 remaining, Maddy Tannert-Schmidt grabbed a late winner to give the Panthers a 3-2 home victory.

“Lizzie (King) took a shot and it deflected off the goalie,’ said Tannert-Schmidt. “It was right there. Right place, right time I guess.’

The goal was Tannert-Schmidt’s second of the game, and it came with just 4:36 to play.

“They had just scored, so it was really high intensity at the time,’ the senior midfielder said.

The Warriors led for much of the first half. Sydney Zandi opened the scoring less than five minutes into the contest to spot Henderson a lead. Strath Haven had its chances to equalize, but all went begging. King, the Panthers’ leading scorer, fired over the crossbar from the top of the 18-yard box midway through the half. She atoned for that miss and then some.

With 4:07 on the clock in the opening frame, King broke through the right side of the Henderson defense. She was forced wide, though, and found herself near the end line.

“I’ve scored from that angle before, but it was a tough angle,’ King said. “I couldn’t see them, but I heard people screaming.’

The sophomore striker sent a ball across the box that Tannert-Schmidt happily deposited in the back of the net.

In the second half, King scored a go ahead goal in nearly identical fashion to her first half miss.

“I fell when I kicked it. I thought it was going over,’ she explained. “But I love it when I can make up for my mistakes.’

King’s goal looked like it would stand up. However, Henderson’s Madeline Pritchard brought the teams level late to set up Tannert-Schmidt’s heroics.

“It was an amazing win, a gutsy win,’ said Strath Haven coach Gino Miraglia. His Panthers (13-3-2) will visit Spring-Ford Saturday afternoon in the second round.