W.C. Henderson blanks Downingtown West

Downingtown >> One of the key components that make up a playoff-caliber team is winning challenging road games at the back end of the season.

West Chester Henderson displayed why they are a district title contender under the lights of DiSerafino Stadium on Monday night as they blanked Downingtown West 2-0.

With the victory the Warriors (8-0 National, 11-1 overall) take sole possession of first place in the Ches-Mont League National Division.

“It’s a great win,” Warriors’ coach Craig Scangarella said. “These girls are a family. They have worked so hard to get to this point. They always fight and they have so much character. I am so proud of the way they played tonight.”

After surviving two West shots-on-goal in the opening 45 seconds, the Warriors took control of the game.

Four minutes later, the visitors worked the ball down the left side of the field. Sophomore Julia Wood made a beautiful centering pass to Kailee Coonan who buried a shot low right in the back of the net to give Henderson a 1-0 lead.

“Woodie made a great move and put a cross in and I was there to tap it in. Overall it was a great play,” Coonan said. “I thought we came out really aggressive tonight. I think what we did in practice was implemented. We also played with a lot of heart and you can’t teach that.”

With just under 20 minutes remaining in the first stanza the Warriors struck again. From 17-yards out, Sydney Zandi took control of the ball. The junior spun around and fired a shot that sniped the top-left corner the net to put Henderson up 2-0.

“I didn’t really look where I was shooting,” Zandi said with a smile. “I cut across the field and hit it. I think that goal helped pick up our spirits. It’s always nice when you can establish a two-goal lead.”

The Whippets (7-1, 9-2) best chance to score came midway through the second half. Gina Peraino made an excellent pass that just went out of the reach of Peyton Mottice that would have cut the lead in half.

“I think we played with more intensity in the second half compared to the first,” West coach Wes Davis said. “When you don’t come out and play intense against a good team like Henderson they’ll make you pay.”

It didn’t help that they were missing starters Casey Sheehan and Melana Paternoster, due to injuries.

“It definitely hurt not having them,” Davis said. “But we expect other people to step up and fill in.”

The most impressive part of Henderson’s game was its lockdown defense. Henderson forced the home team to the outside of the field all night.

“I thought they did a really good job making good, smart passes,” Scangarella said. “We were able to keep them outside on offense and we really didn’t beat ourselves.”

Both teams return to action this Wednesday. Downingtown West hosts Kennett at 3 p.m. and Henderson returns home to face Bishop Shanahan at 7.

W.C. Henderson 2 0 – 2

Downingtown West 0 0 – 0

W.C. Henderson goals: Coonan, S. Zandi.

Goalie saves: Maratea (WCH) 7, O’Loughlin (DW) 6.