Pennridge girls get title of their own

The past two years, the Pennridge girls' soccer team stood on the field and watched its opponent celebrate a District 1 Class AAA championship.

With a 1-0 overtime win over Council Rock North on Saturday, the Rams can finally celebrate a title of their own.

"The past two years, we have lost districts and it's been really tough for me and for the team, but this year, it is just amazing to come out with a win," said senior Maggie Butcher, who scored the winner.

The goal came six minutes into the sudden-death period after a corner kick by junior forward Natalia Pinkney. Her service was deflected, and the ball was controlled by Megan Shenk, who crossed it into the box.

After the ball bounced around, it found its way back to Shenk, who played it to Butcher. Butcher buried the ball into the upper right corner of the net.

"I saw it go in, and I feel like I just went blank. It was surreal," Butcher said. "I couldn't even believe it. I just raised my fist in the air, and everyone came crowding it. It was the greatest feeling."

In the first half, the best offensive opportunities for the Indians came off three corner kicks. Once, the service was headed just wide by junior Adrianna Rosario. Another service missed Rosario's head by inches.

The Rams' best scoring chances in the first 40 minutes of play came from their explosive forward Pinkney, but Pennridge couldn't seem to connect many passes in the last one-third of the field.

The game was scoreless at halftime, with Council Rock North recording the only shot on goal.

"We didn't get off to a great start," Shenk said. "In the second half, we were playing smarter and because of that, we were able to keep our intensity."

Pennridge dominated possession in the second half behind strong play from its midfielders. Defensively, the Rams were solid as well, not letting the Indians get a significant scoring opportunity.

They had several opportunities to score in the final minutes of regulation, but they couldn't convert, so the Rams used the near misses as momentum entering the extra time.

"I think right now Pennridge is the best team in the district and we took them to overtime, so I'm not displeased at all," Indians coach Larry Sullivan said.

Both teams will play Tuesday in PIAA state-playoff games. Both the time and site for these games have yet to be announced.

"I know the first day I came in, we looked at the trophy case and it was pretty empty. There was nothing there," sixth-year Pennridge coach Jorge Rodriguez said. "Now, we have two district titles, and hopefully we'll be able to put a state title there, too."

Council Rock North   0 0 0 – 0

Pennridge   0 0 1 – 1

Goal: P-Maggie Butcher.

Saves: CRN-Gemmell 2; P-Schoellkopf 2.