Pottsgrove tops Pope John Paul II 4-0 to maintain perfect run in PAC Frontier
LOWER POTTSGROVE >> Becca Delp had gotten used to seeing her name on the scoresheet for the Pottsgrove girls soccer team.
This fall, she’s been seeing it less.
“In the beginning of the season it was hard to see no stats (individually),” said the junior, “but as you keep going, our team is winning. That’s all I wanted and that’s all that matters. Now, I’m looking at who we’re beating and where we’re going, to me (the individual mindset) doesn’t really matter anymore.”
The Falcons’ junior was looked upon to supply more offense in her first two seasons, but has been holding it down in the defensive midfield this fall. Nevertheless, her versatility was on display Tuesday in a 4-0 victory over Pope John Paul II where Delp had a goal and two assists and was deployed at forward, center back and the midfield.
Delp doesn’t have to spend a ton of time up top with Skylar Glass contributing like she is. The diminutive junior with the high work rate scored two goals Tuesday, already with more than 10 goals this season.
Chloe Manogue-Shivak scored Pottsgrove’s third goal that took it into halftime up 3-0 while Hailey Strain and Anna Crater were credited with assists. Sophomore Lexi Zook also impressed in the midfield.
Tuesday’s win was further proof of Pottsgrove’s emergence as it improved to 6-0 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference, 7-2 in the PAC and 10-3 overall. No bad for a team that traditionally is middle of the road and a fringe district qualifier.
“We had a lot of the team returning and I feel like now we’re putting it all together, making the right passes,” Delp said. “I’m excited to see where we go. As far as districts, that usually wasn’t something that was where Pottsgrove would be. But now we’re expected to do some things and now it’s about living up to expectations.”
Pope John Paul II fell to 4-2 in the division, 5-4 in the PAC and 5-6-1 overall. The Golden Panthers have managed their share of success with an underclassmen-heavy lineup after heavy graduation, including All-State forward Kayla Mesaros, from last year’s PAC finalist and District 1-3A semifinalist.
Pottsgrove was pegged by many before the season to make a rise. But it’s another thing to fulfill expectations, especially from a squad that hasn’t really done it before and has just one senior (Sarah Rybacki).
“There’s definitely higher expectation, but it feels better for us to come and feel like we’re going to win each game,” Glass said. “That is what has made us be successful so far, by working as a team. We have more spirit this year.”
Tuesday’s win paired with a 2-1 win on Sept. 7 gave the Falcons a regular-season sweep over the Panthers.
“It definitely felt good because last year was the opposite way around,” Glass said. “I think it sends a message to other teams.”
Junior goalkeeper Summer Walker had three saves for the shutout while Pope John Paul II’s Stacy Kormos had seven saves.
Pottsgrove’s week continues against Upper Perkiomen on Thursday before an appealing non-league home meeting with Bishop Shanahan, which currently resides atop the District 1-3A power rankings with a 9-0-2 record. The Falcons are presently No. 6. Pope John Paul II presently holds the No. 11 place in the 12-team bracket. PJP meets Phoenixville on Thursday.
