PIAA Girls State Final Standouts
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The 2023 high school season concluded on Friday and Saturday in Mechanicsburg with the staging of eight finals. It was a big weekend for Eastern Pennsylvania with teams from Pennridge, Central Columbia and Dock Mennonite all capturing state titles. Pennridge…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023 high school season concluded on Friday and Saturday in Mechanicsburg with the staging of eight finals. It was a big weekend for Eastern Pennsylvania with teams from Pennridge, Central Columbia and Dock Mennonite all capturing state titles. Pennridge completed an impressive unbeaten season making it back to the final and winning it with a 4-1 win over Conestoga in a rematch of the District 1 final.
Here’s a look at players who impressed on the high school game’s biggest stage.
While it’s hard to find any flaws with this Pennridge team, it’s also very clear who the leader of the group was with Anna Croyle Anna Croyle M Pennridge (PA) | 2024 State PA dominating from the back and leading her team to a dream ending. Croyle scored the eventual game winner off a Sophie Craig Sophie Craig F PA corner in the first half and anchored a back line that was able to close down Conestoga after they pulled a goal back to make it 2-1.
Highlights
Balmer was a problem for Conestoga from the opening whistle with her runs down the right flank. She was able to create a number of chances and set up the opening goal for Pennridge on a great cross. Her work defensively in winning back the ball back was instrumental.
Conestoga’s attack goes through Kemmerley and while it only produced the one goal on the night it came from Kemmerley’s work in the final third. Her ability to win the ball in the middle of the field and spring attacks going forward is impossible to miss and a big reason why the Pioneers are in good shape for another deep run next season.
Kayla Keefer
Kayla Keefer
Keefer was a goal-scoring machine all season after leading her team to a state title last year. Saturday was no different as she capped her high school career with a second half brace in a 4-0 win over Avonworth.
Haley Bull
Haley Bull
While Keefer gets all the attention as the goal-scorer up top – getting a hat trick in last year’s state final will do that – Central Columbia had a number of other bright attacking players leading the charge in their 4-0 final win. Bull scored a nice goal in the first half and was pulling the strings in the second half to wrap up the school’s set straight title.
Ashley Brown Ashley Brown F Dock Mennonite | 2027 PA
Ashley Brown Ashley Brown F Dock Mennonite | 2027 PA
Teams that win state finals are often senior laden – experience at the biggest stage often matters most – but Dock Mennonite’s star freshman was the one putting on a show to lead the program to its first state title. While the keeper will want a couple of the chances back, Brown put on a clinic with four goals on the day in a 5-1 win over Riverview.
It wasn’t Riverview’s day in a 5-1 loss but Lola Abraham Lola Abraham null | F Riverview (PA) | 2024 State #84 Nation PA still shined as one of the best players on the field even in the losing effort. An absolute handful with the ball, she created a number of chances including the goal and was one of the few problems Dock had on the day.
Hailey Cummings
Hailey Cummings
Cummings didn’t have an easy assignment with Lola Abraham Lola Abraham null | F Riverview (PA) | 2024 State #84 Nation PA as opponent but she answered the call and was solid on the day in limiting Riverview’s chances to find a way back into a game Dock dominated throughout.
Billinda Leisner
Billinda Leisner
Leisner put in a stellar shift on the day helping to create chances and contributing to a dominate offensive display.
Leech capped off her high school career leading Moon to a third straight state title with another strong performance in goal. A lot of top players have come and gone for Moon in their three-year run but Leech has consistently been the key ingredient in their state title wins. Saturday night was no exception.
Highlights
Anna Palm
Anna Palm
Palm opened up the scoring with a lovely upper 90 hit on a first-time finish and then added the eventual game-winner on another effort from distance.
Gabby Larson
Gabby Larson
Larson was a force throughout the match both defensively and offensively out wide. She was rewarded for all of her efforts with a chance off a corner she buried with a well-hit header to cap off the 3-1 win.
Lilia Calvert
Lilia Calvert
Calvert was electric and dangerous throughout the match, putting defenders on her hip as she blew by them. Her goal was a result of an outstanding solo effort and she created a number of other chances with her footwork in the box.