Players to Watch: Southeast PA Players in PIAA Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 teams playing each other. Below is a look at some players to watch in those games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":154321,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/11/9C19B785-BC69-4823-AFCD-826F0CEBBF3E248A4148-2023-11-12T00_28_42.722.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-154321" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Faith Christian Academy vs Delaware County Christian</strong><br>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior midfielders <strong>Ben Goodrich</strong> (pictured above) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='44527' first='Logan' last='Moore']</strong> lead a dynamic attack with multiple ways to beat you. Goodrich scored early in the game Saturday off a corner kick from junior midfielder <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='119887' first='Ryan' last='Noel']</strong>, 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 <strong>Oriol Pedrola</strong> and senior <strong>Colin Moyer</strong>. Faith also has a standout goalkeeper who doesn't often get tested in junior <strong>Roman Sigafoos</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='15102' first='Cody' last='Dill']</strong> from the back (either at defense or holding midfield) and attacking midfielder <strong>Cortez Cardone</strong>. Both were instrumental in their 2-0 win over Old Forge on Saturday. Junior defender <strong>Cameron Valvala</strong> was big on Saturday too possessing the ball and advancing attacks from right back. Sophomore midfielder <strong>Jude Sacks</strong> and junior midfielder <strong>Ben Norbury</strong> 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dock Mennonite vs Moravian Academy</strong><br>Dock has multiple players that can do damage in the final third with seniors <strong>Billinda Leisner</strong> and <strong>Ashley Lapp</strong> leading the way and sophomore <strong>Shelby Lapp</strong>. Seniors <strong>Tess Bergey</strong> and <strong>Abby Mellinger</strong> and junior <strong>Hailey Cummings</strong> are also key contributors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":153485,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/11/8BBC199E-32C4-41C4-8A04-5325F5B23EC26N4A1093-2023-11-03T02_47_49.324.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-153485" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 3A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Radnor vs Springfield Township</strong><br>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans are led by senior forward <strong>Riley Martin</strong>, who was dangerous throughout the district final and junior midfielder <strong>Nick Hanushchak</strong>. Junior midfielders <strong>Kayden Sowell</strong> and <strong>Ben Hubley</strong> are also key contributors along with seniors <strong>Jack McKittrick</strong> (defender) and <strong>Nicholas Marino</strong> (winger). Juniors <strong>Owen Hastings</strong> (goalkeeper) and <strong>Chase Rubincam</strong> (defender) will need to be strong in the back, particularly on set pieces, to limit the Scarlet Knights' chances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior midfielder <strong>Andrew Marino</strong> and senior midfielder <strong>Brayan Chavez</strong> (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 <strong>Nate Lucchesi</strong> and <strong>Michael Savadove</strong> - both Division 1 bound lacrosse players - could be the X factor again in leading their team to the final. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":154359,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/11/4D7B2711-8EB4-45DE-A9C9-860EF993FBB56N4A2283-2023-11-05T02_18_01.439.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-154359" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 4A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pennridge vs Parkland</strong><br>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 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='25692' first='Anna' last='Croyle']</strong> (pictured above), who wins nearly every ball in the air and is both a stout defender and a goal-scoring threat. Senior midfielder <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='25963' first='Olivia' last='Grenda']</strong> is a playmaking central midfielder who is both good on the half turn and finding teammates through the lines. Senior winger <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='26018' first='Victoria' last='Angelo']</strong> is a near constant threat out wide and first-year midfielder <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265571' first='Gabriella' last='Howley']</strong> 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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conestoga vs North Allegheny</strong><br>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 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='25863' first='Keira' last='Kemmerley']</strong> will want to make sure that's not the case in leading the attack. Kemmerley along with sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='25856' first='Kate' last='Kemmerley']</strong> and junior <strong>Mackenzie Hogan</strong> will look to put the North Allegheny defense under pressure from the opening whistle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conestoga vs Council Rock North</strong><br>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 <strong>Calvin Hopkins</strong> has been critical in the run. Senior captain <strong>Ari Pollack</strong> leads a fairly young team with juniors <strong>William Kamp</strong> and <strong>Windsor Varady</strong> key contributors and standout sophomores <strong>Logan Adams</strong> and <strong>Dominic Czachor</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conestoga has been a buzz saw this season and will be a tall task to stop. Senior midfielder <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='61508' first='Ryan' last='Zellefrow']</strong> leads an impressive attack with senior attackers <strong>Kole Wintersteen</strong>, one of the only attacking holdovers from the 2021 state champions. Senior defender <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='168922' first='Brady' last='Costin']</strong> is important both defensively and on dead balls and senior goalkeeper <strong>Ryan Carella</strong> can make the dazzling save and spring an attack with a 70-yard punt. Junior midfielder <strong>Cole Frederick</strong>, who started as a freshman in the 2021 final, is another key contributor who does important defensive work in midfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central Bucks South vs Norwin</strong><br>Junior midfielder <strong>Oleksandr&nbsp;Sokol</strong> scored the game-winner on an assist from junior <strong>Anthony Bice</strong> 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. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->