Wood falls short in girls’ AAA final

HERSHEY, Pa. - Peters Township midfielder Danielle Hume couldn't have picked a better way to close her high school career.

But it certainly put a damper on Archbishop Wood's first foray into the PIAA Class AAA state girls' soccer championship Saturday at HersheyPark Stadium.

The District 12-champion Vikings had been successful in keeping the Indians' Veronica Latsko off the scoreboard for nearly 65 minutes of their title game when the freshman scoring standout unleashed a shot toward the Vikings' goal.

It didn't go in, but Hume was there to knock in the rebound to give Indians a 1-0 triumph and their first PIAA championship.

"That was a tough loss," Wood coach Bill Cappo said. "I couldn't have asked for more from my girls. We got beat by a very good team. We marked their freshman. They got the follow-up, and that happens sometimes. We had a little letdown."

It was the seventh goal of the season for Hume, who has no plans to play soccer in college.

"Whenever we shoot, I go to the goal," said Hume, who watched Latsko's ball sailing in the air. "If you miss on the first one, you don't want to miss on No. 2. I think it helped us to be in this [championship] atmosphere before."

Hume was a member of the Indians' 2008 team that lost to District 1 champion Conestoga, 2-1, in its first appearance in the state final.

"This was my last game. It was a great way to go out," Hume said. "I have never played on such a big field, but it was great."

Latsko didn't have time to stick around for the medal ceremonies. She left immediately after the game for an Olympic Development event in Florida for 70 of the top under-17 players in the country.

In halting the Vikings' 23-game winning streak, the District 7-champion Indians stymied Wood's offense, particularly in the second half. Peters Township had a 7-4 edge in corner kicks, five of them coming in the second half. Indians goalie Brittany Hoffman did not make a save all afternoon.

Cappo conceded that Peters Township's earlier appearance in a state final might have given the Indians a slight edge.

Indians coach Pat Vereb could empathize with Cappo and the Vikings (23-2).

"We've been here before and understand the emotion, especially that first time," Vereb said.

Archbishop Wood   0 0 – 0

Peters Township   0 1 – 1

Goal: Danielle Hume.

Saves: AW-Deanna Messner 2; PT-Brittany Hoffman 0.