Players to Watch: Southeast PA Players in PIAA Semifinals
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Ten teams from District 1 are still alive in the PIAA playoffs and will be playing tonight for a chance to go to the state finals this weekend in Mechanicsburg. Three of the games tonights will feature two District 1…
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Continue ReadingTen teams from District 1 are still alive in the PIAA playoffs and will be playing tonight for a chance to go to the state finals this weekend in Mechanicsburg. Three of the games tonights will feature two District 1 teams playing each other. Below is a look at some players to watch in those games.
Class A
Faith Christian Academy vs Delaware County Christian
This is a rematch of the District 1 final Faith Christian won 3-2. DC took a surprise early lead in that one but Faith was able to come back right away to tie and capture the district crown. It was a big improvement for DC over the regular season when they lost 6-0. Faith Christian can score early and often as they did to knock off defending state champs Moravian Academy on Saturday.
Senior midfielders Ben Goodrich (pictured above) and Logan Moore Logan Moore 5'9" | M Faith Christian Academy | 2024 State PA lead a dynamic attack with multiple ways to beat you. Goodrich scored early in the game Saturday off a corner kick from junior midfielder Ryan Noel Ryan Noel M #131 Nation PA , who also scored an Olimpico in the match. All three players will be players Delaware County will want to keep in check but there are a number of other attacking pieces that can bite you too like junior Oriol Pedrola and senior Colin Moyer. Faith also has a standout goalkeeper who doesn’t often get tested in junior Roman Sigafoos.
Delaware County has made history this year with their first appearance in the state tournament with a balanced team. They’re led by senior captains Cody Dill Cody Dill D Delco Christian | 2024 PA from the back (either at defense or holding midfield) and attacking midfielder Cortez Cardone. Both were instrumental in their 2-0 win over Old Forge on Saturday. Junior defender Cameron Valvala was big on Saturday too possessing the ball and advancing attacks from right back. Sophomore midfielder Jude Sacks and junior midfielder Ben Norbury were also instrumental in the match. Both will need to be more clinical with chances in the final third though in order for the Knights to have a shot at the upset.
Dock Mennonite vs Moravian Academy
Dock has multiple players that can do damage in the final third with seniors Billinda Leisner and Ashley Lapp leading the way and sophomore Shelby Lapp. Seniors Tess Bergey and Abby Mellinger and junior Hailey Cummings are also key contributors.
Class 3A
Radnor vs Springfield Township
District 1 is guaranteed another team in the state final, on the boys side at least this season. Radnor and Springfield Township will renew their rivalry after playing for the District 1 title (Radnor won). Springfield knocked off Radnor en route to last year’s 3A boys final.
The Spartans are led by senior forward Riley Martin, who was dangerous throughout the district final and junior midfielder Nick Hanushchak. Junior midfielders Kayden Sowell and Ben Hubley are also key contributors along with seniors Jack McKittrick (defender) and Nicholas Marino (winger). Juniors Owen Hastings (goalkeeper) and Chase Rubincam (defender) will need to be strong in the back, particularly on set pieces, to limit the Scarlet Knights’ chances.
Junior midfielder Andrew Marino and senior midfielder Brayan Chavez (pictured above) were both key to Radnor’s win over Springfield before. They won the midfield battle with their technical ability and were able to set up both goal-scoring chances in the 2-0 win. Seniors Nate Lucchesi and Michael Savadove – both Division 1 bound lacrosse players – could be the X factor again in leading their team to the final.
Class 4A
Pennridge vs Parkland
After meeting Conestoga in the District final, we could be gearing up for an all District 1 state final. Pennridge is back right where they were expected to be after losing the final last year with so many returning players. They’re led by senior
Anna Croyle
Anna
Croyle
M
Pennridge (PA) | 2024
State
PA
(pictured above), who wins nearly every ball in the air and is both a stout defender and a goal-scoring threat. Senior midfielder
Olivia Grenda
Olivia
Grenda
F
PA
is a playmaking central midfielder who is both good on the half turn and finding teammates through the lines. Senior winger
Victoria Angelo
Victoria
Angelo
M
PA
is a near constant threat out wide and first-year midfielder Gabriella Howley is very active. As a team there aren’t a lot of weaknesses to exploit and there’s talent front to back. Parkland will have their hands full.
Conestoga vs North Allegheny
Senior goalkeeper Greta Steege has a ton of experience in big games and may be the most important player on the field for Conestoga in this one if the game is close. Junior forward
Keira Kemmerley
Keira
Kemmerley
null | M
Conestoga | 2025
State
#169
Nation
PA
will want to make sure that’s not the case in leading the attack. Kemmerley along with sophomore
Kate Kemmerley
Kate
Kemmerley
F
Villa Maria Academy | 2026
State
PA
and junior Mackenzie Hogan will look to put the North Allegheny defense under pressure from the opening whistle.
Conestoga vs Council Rock North
CR North has had an impressive run to make it through the playbacks (knocking off last year’s state finalist Lower Merion in penalties) to this stage. Junior goalkeeper Calvin Hopkins has been critical in the run. Senior captain Ari Pollack leads a fairly young team with juniors William Kamp and Windsor Varady key contributors and standout sophomores Logan Adams and Dominic Czachor.
Conestoga has been a buzz saw this season and will be a tall task to stop. Senior midfielder Ryan Zellefrow Ryan Zellefrow F State PA leads an impressive attack with senior attackers Kole Wintersteen, one of the only attacking holdovers from the 2021 state champions. Senior defender Brady Costin Brady Costin D Conestoga | 2024 State PA is important both defensively and on dead balls and senior goalkeeper Ryan Carella can make the dazzling save and spring an attack with a 70-yard punt. Junior midfielder Cole Frederick, who started as a freshman in the 2021 final, is another key contributor who does important defensive work in midfield.
Central Bucks South vs Norwin
Junior midfielder Oleksandr Sokol scored the game-winner on an assist from junior Anthony Bice early in the game to lift CB South to the semifinal. If they can combine on an early goal against Norwin, they could ride that to a state final appearance against a team that advanced to this stage by getting past Abington on penalties.