Pennridge edges CR South in District 1-4A quarterfinals

EAST ROCKHILL >> Last fall, Pennridge underclassmen Emily Kriney, Grace Myers and Ashley Gordon had a great view of the Rams’ run to the PIAA title game.

This year, they aren’t watching the girls soccer team’s postseason run. They’re right in the middle of it and all three players had an instrumental role in making sure the Rams got back to the state tournament Saturday night.

Behind a clinical effort and thanks to two first half goals, the No. 1 Rams held off No. 9 Council Rock South 2-0 at Helman Field.

“Playing in it, it’s a totally different experience than sitting there watching it,” Myers said. “It’s a new experience but it’s so nice being a part of it.”

“You want it more. You really feel the ups and downs that come as part of a playoff run,” Gordon added. “In the end, it feels so much greater.”

It seems odd that a program that’s been the top seed in the District 4A bracket two of the last three seasons and played in a state title game last year could call itself inexperienced, but that’s exactly what Pennridge (18-1-1) is. Outside of senior midfielders Chance Hendricks and Maddie Anderson, senior defender Lauren McIntyre and junior back Maddie Angelo, there weren’t a ton of varsity minutes back from last season.

Players like sophomore Leah Malone, who scored the second goal Saturday, were reserves last year and senior keeper Meghan Kriney was a part of last postseason’s run but as a field player. Pennridge’s season was going to continue win or loss on Saturday, but for the postseason first-timers, beating a good side and locking up states eased some of the burden.

“It’s a big reassurance but it still scares me a little,” Emily Kriney said. “Once we get to those games, you have to win or you’re out and I don’t want to be out, I just want to keep winning.”

“Every game gets a little more challenging as you move on in the playoffs,” Myers said. “That’s exciting but also a little nerve-wracking.”

“At the same time, I think it builds confidence,” Gordon, a junior defender, said. “Knowing we’re going to move on, I think it motivates us to play even better.”

Emily Kriney, a sophomore, burst onto the scene this fall and led the Rams in scoring during the regular season. The forward had been, at least by her standards, a drought however and found the oasis early in the first half.

Pennridge won a corner kick that Lindsey DeHaven drove into the box where Anderson flicked it along to the far post for a tap-in from Kriney with 33:42 left in the first half.

“It felt good because I hadn’t scored in four games,” Kriney said. “I boosted my confidence to get back scoring again. I hated it going without a goal, so I’m pretty glad I scored.”

The Golden Hawks (14-5-1) fell for a second time this season to the Rams. Pennridge beat CR South 3-1 in the season opener, but with both teams 18 games through tough schedules and CR South’s lineup boosted by the return of Allie Jones, this was a different type of game.

As it often is during the postseason, the outcome was decided by finishing chances. While the Rams cashed in two, the Hawks didn’t make the most of their opportunities and will now have to face SOL National rival Pennsbury in the playback bracket.

“I thought we spotted them one off that corner kick and you can’t do that against a team that’s as good as they are,” CR South coach Nick Heim said. “They punish you for every mistake you make. I thought the second goal was a bit against the run of play too, we had some spells of good possession but she just got on the end of one and hit a rocket.”

Malone, who scored the opening goal in the second round win over Great Valley, unloaded on a shot that dipped in just under the bar with four minutes left in the first half for a 2-0 lead.

As the second began, rain started to fall but the Rams held their lead and got a strong showing from the defensive unit against South’s talented front line. Allie Jones, twin sister Sammy, Aubrey Hondros, Jordi Rubakh and Claudia Steinmetz have torched plenty of defenders this fall but Pennridge did a good job of covering for each other.

“They were making a lot of runs across but we stayed composed,” Gordon, the right back, said. “We really defended together.”

Kriney and Myers felt like the team was a little flat in the first half, but they were able to amp things up in the second half and played really strong in the final 15 minutes, connecting passes and keeping possession going.

“That’s when they’re looking to make a last push and we just want to keep it away from them,” Kriney said. “We want to push back and keep our lead.”

“We worked really well up top,” Myers added. “We made good runs and got open for each other so we could cross it or dribble into the box and look to get shots off.”

Pennridge will host No. 13 North Penn, a 5-4 shootout winner over Pennsbury following a 0-0 draw, in Tuesday’s semifinal. It will be the third meeting for the sides, with each claiming a 2-1 win on their home pitch and North Penn’s victory being the sole loss the Rams have taken this fall.

“They’re fun in the locker room, they’re loose and I think our senior class and junior class have done a job helping them understand what it means to play at Pennridge,” Rams coach Audrey Anderson said. “Our goal in the beginning of the season was to get back to states and now we’re back at it, so I think it shows a lot of resilience from this program to be there and know how much work it takes and do it two years in a row after losing nine players from last year.

“It’s incredible to me as a coach seeing these girls day in and day out and what they’re willing to put in.”

PENNRIDGE 2, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0 0 – 0
PENNRIDGE 2 0 – 2
Goals: P – Emily Kriney (Maddie Anderson, Lindsey DeHaven), Leah Malone.