Lenape blanks Paul VI

The goals weren't pretty anywhere but on the scoreboard.

Top-ranked Lenape scored all its goals off scrambles after re-starts en route to a 3-0 victory over No. 4 Paul VI in an Olympic Conference girls' soccer game Wednesday night.

Junior midfielder Courtney Kovac scored twice and Alexus Cooper added the third goal for Lenape (6-0) before a crowd of around 500 spectators under the lights on the Indians' football field.

"They are phenomenal on re-starts," Paul VI coach Keith Walters said of Lenape. "That's their M.O. They get great service in the box, and they have aggressive girls who are more than willing to sacrifice."

Kovac scored just three minutes into the game, gathering a loose ball after Lenape defender Morgan McDivitt had served a long kick into the box.

"It was important to set the tone for the game," Kovac said. "We wanted to let them know we're for real and that we were here to play."

Kovac said Lenape was motivated by the memory of Paul VI's 1-0 victory over the Indians last season. That was Lenape's only loss in a 23-1-1 season that ended with the program's third consecutive Group 4 state title.

"It was huge for us to beat them," Kovac said. "We knew after last year they were capable of beating us."

Lenape scored again in the 32d minute when Cooper got loose after another long service into the box by McDivitt.

"We stress those set pieces," Lenape coach Kevin Meder said.

Paul VI (3-1-1) received strong games from midfielders Jenna Pedrick and Shannon Westhead as well as forward Chelsea Phillips.

Westhead hit the crossbar late in the first half, and the Eagles had a few decent scoring chances in the second half.

"We showed some resilience," Walters said.

Paul VI   0 0 – 0

Lenape   2 1 – 3

Goals: L-Courtney Kovac 2, Alexus Cooper.

Saves: P-Erin Baker 8; L-Allison Johnson 8.