In winning 5th straight District 9 girls soccer title, Karns City proves a point by dominating Elk County

October 29, 2025 Last Updated: October 29, 2025 08:39 PM Sports

Karns City's Phoebe Brandon (15) celebrates with her fellow teammates after scoring against Elk County Catholic in the District 9 Class 1A girls soccer final Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Brookville High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

BROOKVILLE — Karns City girls soccer players took note two weeks ago when the District 9 Class 1A playoff bracket was released.

Though the Gremlins were four-time defending district champions and entered the postseason with a record of 15-3, Elk County Catholic was given the top seed.

“That did bother me a bit,” KC senior midfielder Hanna Dailey said. “We looked at their schedule, and they faced some competition, but nothing like we faced this season.”

The No. 2 Gremlins got their chance to prove which was the better team and dominated the Crusaders from start to finish Wednesday in the district final, scoring a 7-1 victory at Brookville Stadium.

“The girls were well aware of the seeding and it lit a bit more of a fire under them,” Gremlins coach Tracy Dailey said.

“We had them on their heels tonight. They weren’t ready for our intensity,” Hanna Dailey said.

Karns City won its fifth straight district crown, giving the program 27 titles in 31 years.

The Gremlins’ superior speed caused trouble immediately for ECC (17-2-1).

Karns City earned a corner kick 90 seconds into the game, and forward Phoebe Brandon had a shot bounce off the side of the net a minute later.

Katelyn VanDyke scored the game’s first goal from 15 yards out 3:41 in.

Karns City's Hanna Dailey (27) attempts to take possession of the ball against Elk County Catholic in the District 9 Class 1A girls soccer final Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Brookville High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Through balls that KC’s forwards were able to take control of behind ECC’s back line quickly became a theme in the first half. Crusaders goalie Lillian Belsoe was left to defend breakaway attempts on multiple occasions. Brandon scored on one of them in the seventh minute, and by halftime she had scored again and Hanna Dailey had found the net twice for a 5-0 lead.

“It’s a huge advantage when you have speed at the top, and it’s very important for us moving forward,” Tracy Dailey said. “We knew Elk County liked to press their back line a lot, and we worked on getting the ball behind them.”

Hanna Dailey tallied her third goal in the 53rd minute, and Layla Colsey scored seven minutes later.

“I have confidence in our ability to score,” Colsey said. “Phoebe, not many people can keep up with her.”

The Crusaders avoided the shutout when Anna Lanzel scored what amounted to an empty-net goal after KC’s Giada Bonetto came off her line in the 65th minute.

Bonetto made three saves in the win, while Belsoe had 11 saves.

Contributing assists for KC were Hanna Dailey (2), Sophia Bonetto (2), Bree O’Donnell, Carleigh Lucas and Brandon.

The Gremlins (18-3) will open the state playoffs Tuesday against the loser of Thursday’s WPIAL final between Sewickley Academy and Bentworth. A site and time will be announced over the weekend.

“We’ll celebrate tonight, then get back at it,” Tracy Dailey said.

Karns City's Katelyn VanDyke (19) celebrates scoring the first goal of the game against Elk County Catholic in the District 9 Class 1A girls soccer final Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Brookville High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Karns City's Phoebe Brandon (15) kicks the ball to score a goal against Elk County Catholic in the District 9 Class 1A girls soccer final Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Brookville High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Karns City's Phoebe Brandon (15) kicks the ball past the Elk County Catholic goalie in the District 9 Class 1A girls soccer final Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Brookville High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Karns City's Ava Kamenski (6) heads the ball in the District 9 Class 1A girls soccer final against Elk County Catholic on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Brookville High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw