New Hope-Solebury rides shutout streak to state final

BERNVILLE, Pa. - The streak was brought up and a New Hope-Solebury fan interjected, fearing the mention of it might jinx the team.

"We were trying to keep that quiet," the fan yelled.

There might not have been much talk about it after the Lions' 3-0 victory Tuesday night over South Williamsport in the PIAA Class A state semifinals. But on the stat sheet this postseason, there is nothing louder or more telling:

Through six postseason games, New Hope-Solebury still has not allowed a goal.

"For the entire postseason, that's been our defensive mindset, to not let up a goal," Lions goalkeeper Carter Robinson said. "It was our goal, and it's happened so far."

New Hope-Solebury (15-5-3) dominated play for nearly the entire 80 minutes, allowing just five shots.

Robinson, in his second game back after straining his hip in the District 1 championship game Nov. 4, said he felt completely healthy during the game - not that he was forced to test his hip much against a team that did not create a consistent attack.

"We're playing the best soccer that we've played all year," New Hope-Solebury coach Evren Asral said. "It just keeps getting better the longer the season progresses. So I couldn't be happier with the results."

During one of many long stretches with sustained possession, the Lions took a 1-0 lead in the 23d minute on an own goal by South Williamsport.

A New Hope-Solebury player crossed a ball just in front of the net. The ball ricocheted off a South Williamsport defender and into the goal.

"Getting the early lead was huge," Asral said. "That really takes the pressure off."

The Lions came out looking just as determined in the second half and went ahead by 2-0 in the 43d minute. Renzo Calderon put a few nice moves on a defender and put an open shot from eight yards out in the back of the net.

New Hope-Solebury spent the middle part of the second half convincingly turning away any attempt South Williamsport made at an offensive surge.

With the Lions refusing to take their foot off the gas late in the game, they nearly converted on several shots.

Finally, with eight minutes left in regulation, freshman Zach Hritz took control of a pass from Rob Stephens and netted the team's third goal.

"It's a dream come true to be going to the state championship," Robinson said.

Robinson pointed to the unity of the team's eight seniors as being crucial to its success.

All eight seniors, Robinson said, have been playing together most of their lives, spanning well more than 300 games.

"All of these eight seniors have dreamed about something like this since we were little kids," he said. "So for this to actually come true, it's one of the best things to ever happen to us.

"It's just a heartwarming feeling to be able to play together one more time."

New Hope-Solebury will play for the state championship at 1 p.m. Saturday at HersheyPark Stadium against the winner of the semifinal between North Star and Mercyhurst Prep.

New Hope-Solebury   1 2 – 3

South Williamsport   0 0 – 0

Goals: Renzo Calderon, Zach Hritz, own goal.

Saves: NH-S: Carter Robinson 3; SW-Cain Dudek 13.