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FAIRVIEW VILLAGE>>For four periods of regulation, and nearly too full sessions of overtime, the Radnor goalie was a veritable brick wall, make save after save, often in spectacular fashion. But Villa Maria simply kept plugging away, keeping up the pressure until, with just 1:26 left in the second overtime, Caitlyn Connell found herself one on one, and knocked it into the back netting to lift the Hurricanes to the District 1, Class 2A championship for the second straight season, with a 2-1 victory.
With the win, Villa Maria moves on to the first round of the PIAA championship tournament, where they will host Red Land, the sixth place finisher out of District 3.
“Radnor brought a different style than we’ve faced recently,” said Villa coach Katie Evans. “It challenged us in a different way, forcing us to make different adjustments. It’s a great game to get into heading into states, because we’ve played a variety of different styles.
Radnor drew first blood in the game, forcing three straight penalty corners around the ten-minute mark, before finally converting on a goal from Annabelle Parente, with an assist from Alex Decain. Thanks in no small part to the play of Radnor goalie Sophie Green, that lead held through halftime.
Green weathered barrage after barrage of shots from the Hurricanes, and even saved a pair of penalty strokes in the game, finishing with 11 saves.
“Our goalie is a shining star who has really come up big for us,” said Radnor coach Gret Ehret. “She didn’t p-lay goalie for us until about six weeks into the season, when she realized we needed a second goalie. She’s fearless, athletic, and a real leader on the team.”
Erin Burns finally got the Hurricanes on the board early in the third period, taking a pass from Connell and slipping it in behind Green for the equalizer.
Villa dominated possession for the remainder of the half, forcing seven penalty corners to just one for Radnor. But unable to convert, the game went to overtime, where Radnor went on the attack.
“In the first period of overtime, Radnor had so many corners,” said Connell. “But hats off to Katie Connelly, who just played fantast for us at goalie.”
The second overtime was much more evenly played, and it looked like the game might go to shoot out, when Connell landed the game winner.
“I saw that on most of her saves, including the penalty strokes, she was making them with her left hand as we went for the far post,” said Connell. “So I just tried to aim for her right, and it went in. It feels amazing to win another district title.”
Radnor also moves on to the state tournament, where they will host the District 12 runner=up, Bonner-Pendergrast Tuesday at 3 PM.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these girls,” said Ehret. “They battled and battled all day, and played great hockey. We’re excited to move on to states. We know we can play with anyone.”
Radnor 1 0 0 0 0 0—1Villa Maria 0 0 1 0 0 1—2
GoalsRadnor –ParenteVilla Maria—Burns, ConnellGoalie Saves—Green (RAD) 11; Connelly (VM) 5
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