The Amparo Show… Freshman leads Whippets past Conestoga Valley

West Chester >> All season long, Downingtown West’s girls soccer team has had an array of players step up and deliver in the clutch. Tuesday’s first-round PIAA Class AAA playoff game against the third-place team from District 3, Conestoga Valley, proved to be no different. With the help of freshman Sydney Amparo’s two second-half goals, the Whippets were able to push past the Buckskins 3-1 on a rainy evening at J. Oscar Dicks Stadium.

The second seed from District 1 will advance to play District 7 champion Norwin High School in the quarterfinals on Saturday at a time and place to be determined.

“It feels really good to win,” Amparo said. “It’s so amazing to be on varsity as a freshman and play with such amazing teammates. I wouldn’t have been able to do anything without them tonight.”

Conestoga Valley (15-6-1) jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage when forward Emma Weirich beat the Whippets’ defense and buried a shot to the right.

“We changed the way we played after that,” West’s senior captain Maddie Grim said. “I thought we played a lot harder after they scored in the beginning.”

Less than three minutes later Downingtown West (17-6) caught a much needed break. After a miscommunication between the Conestoga Valley goalkeeper and one of her defenders, the Buckskins scored in their own net, tying the contest at 1-1.

With the game still knotted at one, the Whippets came out firing in the final half.

“Since day one we preach effort and intensity,” West coach Wes Davis said. “We came out and did that in the second half. We challenged more, and came up with 50-50 balls. We kept the game simple and let the forwards attack.”

After failing to convert on a handful of chances, West caught its second break of the game 10 minutes into the second stanza. Following Bucksins’ forward Gianna Yurchak’s corner kick, their offense had a plethora of opportunities to score. The visitors peppered Whippets’ goalie Morgan O’Loughlin with two shots, and added a kick that rang off the cross bar, but nothing translated on the scoreboard.

Two minutes later West made the most of its good fortune. After sophomore Gina Peraino worked the ball up the field, she connected with a streaking Amparo. The freshman was able to poke the ball past the charging Buckskins’ goalie, and bury the empty netter.

“I wouldn’t have been able to score without my teammates,” Amparo said. “They know how I play and that really helps. They play through balls on (the ground) and that is how I have been able to score most of my goals this season.”

With 13 minutes remaining in the game, Amparo scored in identical fashion to put the game away.

Besides the chances Conestoga’s Valley’s corner created at the beginning of the second half, the Whippets defense was stellar, clamping down on their opponents forwards and midfielders.

“I think we relaxed and were more composed after we scored our second goal,” Grim said. “Coach (Davis) always says everything comes from your head and your heart. We held onto that and we able to win the game.”

Up next they will face a Norwin team who erased a two-goal deficit in the first round, topping District 7 foe, Seneca Valley, 3-2 in double overtime.

“We’re going to have to learn a lot about them,” Davis said. “We can take some things from tonight. When we press we are a better team, when we limit our touches and keep it simple we’re a better team.”

Conestoga Valley goals: Weirich.

Downingtown West goals: Amparo 2, Rodriguez.

Goalie saves: Yoder (CV) 8, O’Loughlin (DW) 7.