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By Neil Geoghegan
ngeoghegan@21st-centurymedia.com
@NeilMGeoghegan on Twitter
LANSDALE >> The early 1980s Pittsburgh Steelers rallying cry was ‘one for the thumb,’ as in a fifth Super Bowl ring. But the current situation for the Conestoga boys’ soccer squad is more than one hand can accommodate.
Following Tuesday’s 3-0 triumph over Council Rock North, the Pioneers are now just one win away from a sixth state championship. And longtime head coach Dave Zimmerman is one away from the fifth crown of his wildly successful 22-year reign.
“Ultimately the goal from Day 1 is to get to this point. We have high expectations for ourselves and that means a little extra pressure,” he said.
“We’ve been shooting for this the whole season, and finally we can play for the state title,” added forward Michael Haley. “But there is still one more to go. We will put everything into this game. It’s our last one together.”
Haley is one of 17 seniors on the ’Stoga roster who advanced to the PIAA 4A Semifinals in 2022 before bowing out to Seneca Valley as juniors. This year’s run began exactly a year ago.
“To get knocked out again would have been devastating for this group because we’ve had such high hopes,” Haley said. “So to get to the final feels like a dream come true.
“I’ve been waiting for this my whole life.”
Now 23-0-1 overall, the Pioneers advance to Friday’s State Final. And just like Tuesday’s final four clash against CR North (19-4-1), it will be an all-District 1 Championship Game against Central Bucks South. The Titans — the sixth seed from the district — topped District 7 champion Norwin in the other semifinal.
“This is the best district in the state, but I am a little surprised. Usually there are a few elite programs from the Pittsburgh area,” Zimmerman said.
“We have always been about winning and advancing, and focusing on the next game,” added Conestoga goaltender Ryan Carella. “But now, the last game is here. I can’t wait.”
With the 6-foot-6 Carella in goal, and a lock-down defense in front of him, the Pioneers have now amassed 17 shutout this season, and have surrendered just eight goals total. And perhaps even more extraordinarily, ’Stoga has now outscored its playoff opponents 12-0 so far in the second half.
“We are built from the back forward, so if we can get a lead it is huge,” Zimmerman pointed out.
The Pioneers carried the play for all of the first half, but put on an impressive flurry of chances in the final five minutes, and finally cashed in with 2:15 on the clock. Junior midfielder Cole Frederick volleyed a great feed from teammate Ryan Zellefrow into the net for his 11th goal of the season.
Zellefrow and fellow senior, Kole Wintersteen, also had prime scoring chances in the opening 40 minutes, but it remained 1-0 at the half.
“I was really happy with the way we played tonight,” Zimmerman said. “We did not come out flat – we came out and played well early. And getting that goal right before the half was like a dagger.”
Midway through the second half Haley registered an insurance goal with a nifty moved around a defender along the end line, and then finished from an almost impossible angle.
“Cole (Frederick) played a ball through to me,” Haley recalled. “I made a touch, got around a (defender), and finished far post. It was about a 20 degree angle, so I was amazed that it went in. And then (we) celebrated like we just one the game.”
Zimmerman added: “Michael is about 135 pounds, but he is a finisher. He’s got a knack for scoring. That was his third playoff goal, and he’s had three others called back. I don’t know how he does it, honestly.”
Conestoga then wrapped it up with a late goal by Zellefrow on a direct kick from about 22-yards out. The Pioneers wound up with a big edge in shots on goal (16-4) and corner kicks (8-0).
Council Rock North beat a pair of district champs to get to the semis, including Emmaus (District 11) and La Salle (District 12). The Titans entered the clash with eight wins in their last nine. The lone exception was a setback to Downingtown East in the district quarters.
The venue for Friday’s 4A State Final is Eagle View Middle School in Mechanicsburg, at 7 p.m. ’Stoga is currently tied with two other large school’s with five state crowns. A sixth would be historic.
“It is very hard sometimes not to sneak a look ahead, but we don’t have to do that anymore,” Haley said.
Yet another senior, Carella hasn’t faced much action this season. But he is ready for anything that CB South can throw his way.
“I don’t usually get a lot of action because of how good our back four is,” he said. “So the way I stay focused is by communicating, and if something gets through, I’m there.
“It’s an honor. Really the greatest thing a goalie can have is a back line like we have. I love it.”
Conestoga 3, Council Rock North 0
Council Rock North 0 0 — 0
Conestoga 1
Conestoga goals: Frederick, Haley, Zellefrow.
Goalie saves: Hopkins (CRN) 13; Carella (C) 4.
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