Dock turns up the intensity, blanks rival Delaware County Christian
TOWAMENCIN — Dock struck quickly and kept the pressure on throughout, as the Pioneers earned a commanding 3-0 win over rival Delaware County Christian Tuesday night in a battle of District 1-A playoff squads.
The Pioneers swept the BAL doubleheader, as the Dock boys had begun the evening with a 2-0 win over Delco on this chilly night on the turf at Dock.
“We definitely played very well in the first half. We usually struggle a little bit but today we came out with the intensity we needed,” said a smiling Billinda Leisner, who scored a pair of first-half goals for the Pioneers.
The win raised Dock’s record to 13-3-1, with the Pioneers closing out the regular season Thursday at Faith Christian. Dock is currently seeded second in District 1-A. Delco Christian, now 8-6-2, is currently third in District 1-A. The Knights travel to MaST Charter Wednesday.
“It’s a big win for us – we tied them last time 0-0, so this was a big win,” said Dock coach Stacey Vaitis-Dubost. “We really worked on finishing and on movement in the final third. And the girls really executed everything we practiced. I couldn’t be more pleased.”
Leisner was on top of things for Dock. The junior’s scoring touch helped allow the Pioneers to gain firm control in the first half.
“I was kinda surprised. My second goal, I don’t even remember what happened. It was in an instant. My teammates had my back,” she said. “I think it’s good encouragement for our next game. We definitely needed a boost after a loss on Saturday (to Lansdale Catholic). Having a loss really helped us, making us realize what a loss felt like, and we don’t wanna feel that again. And so today, I think we definitely came out better than we did Saturday.”
Seniors Megan Wenzel, Kenzie Derstine and Katherine Kardos were honored before the game. The Pioneers generated plenty of scoring opportunities – Delco keeper Suzanna Green made several outstanding saves to keep the Knights within striking distance.
“Senior Night helped – it pushed the high intensity for us a little bit,” Vaitis-Dubost said of her squad. “The girls came out ready to go. The team dynamics this year, they’re just so strong. The camaraderie, they get along well. The girls really work together as a team and I think that’s what helped us get the ball in the net this time.”
Dock put the game out of reach when a goal by Eden Loux with seven minutes to go made it 3-0.
Dock is 11-1-1 in its last 13 contests and 7-1 since its 0-0 tie with the Knights back on Sept. 23.
“By the end of the season, you always like to be where you should be. We’re getting there,” Vaitis-Dubost said. “We have one game left before postseason so we’re preparing and we’re ready to go.”
Dock 3, Delaware County Christian 0
Delco Christian 0 0 – 0
Dock 2 1 – 3
First Half
D-Billinda Leisner; D-Leisner.
Second Half
D-Eden Loux.
