Deficit proves deadly to NC
SLIPPERY ROCK — North Catholic's girls soccer team did not react well when faced with its first deficit of the postseason.
After taking an early lead in a PIAA Class AA semifinal, the Trojanettes soon found themselves behind and never recovered in a 4-2 loss to District 10 champion Villa Maria at Slippery Rock High School Wednesday night.
North, which won the WPIAL title earlier this month, had not surrendered a goal in four straight playoff games.
That streak ended when Abby Godlewski tied the score less than six minutes after junior striker Grace Billmann had staked the Trojanettes to a 1-0 lead.
In the 26th minute, Ella Raimondi put the Victors (18-5) up for good.
“After the first few minutes, I was worried because we came out flat,” said Villa Maria coach Peter Wagner, “but I knew we'd break out of that.
“North Catholic is very good and they throw some good forwards at you, but we preach to our girls that anything can happen in the state playoffs if you out-work the team across from you.”
North's attack had its chances. Many sailed high or wide of the net while Victors' goalkeeper Alex Velez stopped seven shots.
The Trojanettes had scored 15 combined goals in their previous five postseason games this season.
“We challenged (Velez) tonight and she stood tall against us,” said North coach Emily Karr. “We have the mind-set that we're going to score, but she frustrated us, absolutely.
“We prepared for being down and made some formation changes, but we have a young and inexperienced team,” she added. “Falling behind was a new feeling for us and there was a lot of pressure.”
Instead of simply trying to protect its 2-1 lead, Villa set out to add to it. Godlewski and Raimondi scored again just three minutes apart early in the second half. The former's shot was taken from 25 yards and deflected off a North defender before getting past Trojanette junior goalkeeper Andrea Bean.
“You can't just sit back and defend,” said Wagner. “We continued to execute our game plan, continued to push.”
With time winding down, North sophomore striker Jayden Sharpless scored on a free kick from 25 yards out, cutting her team's deficit to two goals in the 75th minute.
Bean stopped six shots for the Trojanettes (16-5).
The Victors will meet Lansdale Catholic in the state final Friday in Hershey. It will be Villa's first appearance in the championship game since winning a PIAA title in 2015.
Just three years ago, North struggled to a 5-14 record. Now the Trojanettes have a WPIAL crown and a deep run in the state playoffs to their credit.
“North Catholic has a tradition of competing and competing with pride,” said Karr. “We've talked about girls soccer rising to that standard and I believe we have fulfilled that.”
