Conestoga gets past Phoenixville

The Conestoga girls' soccer team inched closer to the District 1 Class AAA final on Saturday, carried in large part by one of its sophomores.

Katelyn Perz received a pass from Hannah Morgan and sent it just past the outstretched fingers of a jumping Phoenixville goalkeeper for the decisive goal in a 2-1 upset at Washington Field in Phoenixville.

"We worked as a team, and I couldn't be any happier," Perz said. "We've had our ups and downs, and inconsistency throughout the season. But we knew we could win if we kept hope in one another."

The Pioneers were the first to strike in the second-round matchup, as Anna Tellefson scored 9 minutes, 12 seconds into the game off an assist from Perz.

With 18 minutes left in the first half, Cecilia Knaub tied it at 1. Perz swung things back in favor of Conestoga seven minutes later.

Holding onto the lead in the second half, Conestoga faced pressure, as Phoenixville started to build momentum. The Phantoms almost evened the match a couple of times, but couldn't beat Pioneers goalkeeper Ali Maneri, who recorded three saves.

Asked about her 10th-seeded Pioneers' (15-4-1) edging No. 7 Phoenixville (15-5-1), Conestoga coach Meghan Brogan said, "We're fortunate."

"We did enough to get it done," she said. "Phoenixville is a very good team. They're much taller than we are and very good with the ball out of the air."

Along with the two goals, Brogan credited the team's defense as a key factor in the victory, mentioning senior Maggie Stetson and freshman Hannah Morgan.

The two defenders have been paired throughout the season, as Brogan believes Morgan can learn from the veteran leadership of Stetson.

"They work very well together," Brogan said. "Maggie has really taken Hannah under her wing, and it's been nice to see that bond. They don't even really have to talk. They just seem to know what each other is doing, which is very helpful."

Conestoga will head to second-seeded Central Bucks East on Tuesday for a quarterfinal.

Conestoga 2 0 – 2

Phoenixville 1 0 – 1

Goals: C-Anna Tellefson, Katelyn Perz; P-Cecilia Knaub.

Saves: C-Ali Maneri 3; P-Lainey Michaud 4.