Conestoga blanked in state quarters

downed Conestoga 2-0, ending the Pioneers season at 22-2.

Conestoga wanted that first goal to get the quick momentum against Penn Manor, the District 3 runner-up, but once that goal didn’t come, the Pioneers spent the majority of the game on their own end of the field.

“That was our mission the whole year, the first two minutes,” Smyth said. “We just couldn’t connect. They were able to capitalize on their opportunities.”

DeBerdine’s goal got the Comets (24-2) a 1-0 lead with 15:19 in the first half. Harsh scored off a pass from Brooke DeBerdine to make it 2-0 with 5:58 to play in the opening 30 minutes.

Conestoga goalie Ali Showers was able to keep the Pioneers in the game with two saves against Emma DeBerdine and Brooke DeBerdine early in the second half.

“She led her defensive unit, and our defensive unit came up huge,” Smyth said. “The whole team from front to back were in it for the whole 60 minutes. You can’t ask for more than that.”

Once Penn Manor started playing back, Conestoga was able to get opportunities late, but couldn’t get the ball past Penn Manor goalie Brit Hook to gain some momentum back in their favor.

The Pioneers thought they got on the board on a blast from Kiely Allen with 11:51 to play, but Allen was ruled out of the circle, keeping the game at 2-0.

Conestoga had nothing to hang their heads over the quarterfinal loss. The Pioneers won their first District 1 championship in school history, while proving they could compete against any of the top teams in the state.

“This team made it a little bit further than they did last year and that was the goal,” Smith said. “They’ll never forget being District 1 champions for the first time and you can’t take that way from them. I think they know that.”