Gremlins edged out in PIAA playoffs, 2-1
SLIPPERY ROCK — Karns City began playing the brand of soccer that had brought it to the state quarterfinals.
By the time the Gremlins started playing their game, however, they found themselves in a tough spot.
Haley Scherer's score in the 47th minute got KC on the board and injected a much-needed dose of momentum, but the Gremlins were never able to score the equalizer in a 2-1 loss to Mercyhurst Prep in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer showdown at Slippery Rock High School.
Two first-half goals from the Lakers were the difference.
“We just weren't winning the 50/50 balls early,” said Gremlin coach Tracy Dailey. “We scored one goal and had more opportunities later on, but it was one half too late.”
The Gremlins came very close to tying the game in the final two minutes. With 90 seconds left, a scrum in front of Mercyhurst Prep goalkeeper Ashley VanDamia yielded several shots from Karns City that were blocked by Laker defenders. Ashley Michaels relieved her goalie from immediate fire by booting the ball toward midfield, but the Gremlins were soon poised to score once again.
Scherer managed an unobstructed shot with 45 seconds left, but VanDamia made the save to end KC's last threat. The goalie stopped five Gremlin shots in the game.
“Our defense did a nice job today of working the ball out of the back,” said Laker coach Jamie Borowicz. “Karns City is a very physical and athletic team and we are small in some areas.”
Borowicz needed to wait just over three minutes into the game to see his team grab a lead. Following Mercyhurst's first corner kick of the game, midfielder Sydney Johnston beat KC's Cambree Powers.
“Falling behind that early, it's tough,” said Dailey, “but we've been in that situation before and have battled back all season.”
Instead of resting on their 1-0 advantage, the Lakers (15-4-2) continued to push forward and it yielded five more corner kicks in the first half. One of them came in the 27th minute and the Gremlins were unable to clear the ball. Angela VanDamia took possession and scored from 10 yards out.
“We've had to score a lot of late goals to win games this year,” Borowicz said. “It was nice to get an early lead and we played with confidence the entire first half.”
Scherer's goal early in the second half proved the Gremlins (13-6-1) were not going out quietly. That mentality was evident time and time again this year, which included a sixth straight District 9 title for KC.
“We faced a lot of adversity this year,” said Dailey. “We lost a defender (Sydnee Markle) and a forward (Alexis Moore) for the season due to injury. We tried to implement a few new formations, but ended up going back to what we know.”
Powers had four saves for Karns City.
