Not as planned
BUTLER TWP — A WPIAL playoff berth is most likely in the Butler girls soccer team's future.
But how the squad enters the postseason and what it can do once it gets there are both concerns for head coach Steve Perri.
“Some programs wouldn't mind limping into the playoffs, but our goal has always been to get one of the top two or three spots in the section,” he said. “If we make the playoffs by placing fourth, it better be because the three teams ahead of us are just better. We don't want to limp in.”
Butler's chances of moving up in the standings by the end of the regular season took a major hit with Wednesday night's 4-0 home loss to Pine-Richland.
The Rams (10-1, 7-0) had already defeated the Golden Tornado, 4-1, last month.
P-R junior midfielder Caroline Swan set the tone for the rematch when her free kick from 20 yards out found the back of Butler's net less than five minutes into the game.
“I think that early goal was the difference tonight,” said Rams coach Jodi Chmielewski. “Butler was prepared at the start, but scoring that early in the game seemed to be deflating for them.”
Perri agreed.
“We had a plan coming in, but like any plan in any sport, when it gets broken down that quickly, that's what happens.”
Alexa Burnham put the Rams up 2-0 with a goal on a header in the 26th minute.
Butler (7-6, 3-4) had chances, several of them thanks to Liz Simms. She was denied by a diving save from Rams' goalkeeper Katharine Kelly in the first half. The Tornado were awarded a pair of free kicks from 25 yards out in the final 15 minutes of the half, but McKenna Robinson's boots both sailed over the net.
All three of Butler's corner kicks came in the final 40 minutes. But the Ram defense and Kelly earned their fourth straight shutout and fifth of the season.
Kelly, a freshman, made five saves in the game.
“She has been phenomenal,” said Chmielewski. “She plays at a high level (North United) in the offseason and I knew she was prepared for this.”
The Rams' final two goals came from Sami Kelly and Megan Donnelly in the second half.
“We are more balanced in our attack and our overall speed has made a huge difference for us,” said Chmielewski.
Butler could clinch a playoff berth with a win at North Hills (0-7 in section play) on Saturday.
“Effort and execution are obviously both important,” said Perri, “but effort is a bigger concern for me right now. If the effort is there, it becomes a lot easier to execute. If the effort isn't there, it's an uphill climb. We still have a lot of work to do.”
Butler goalkeeper Anna Voelker stopped seven shots in the game.
