Penncrest gets off to fast start in first round
MIDDLETOWN » One year ago Penncrest opened the District 1 Class 3A tournament needing an epic comeback.
After giving up the first seven goals to Upper Merion, the Lions showed their mettle and stormed all the way back to win.
This year’s first-round matchup against Phoenixville was the total opposite of 2021.The Lions dominated from start to finish.
No. 12 Penncrest scored the first 10 goals of regulation en route to a 20-4 trouncing of the 21st-seeded Phantoms.
Next up for the Lions is a road date with No. 8 Unionville in the second round. The Longhorns had a bye in the first round.
“Experience I think is the biggest thing with this year’s team,” Penncrest coach Caitlin Morgan said. “I remember talking to them about the importance of the playoffs and the energy level they must play at. They didn’t really get it, but this time they knew what it was like coming in and I think that helped with their confidence and energy.”
The Lions were flawless in their execution on offense. They passed the ball well and found the open player in the crease. Sometimes it was sophomore Kat Harding, other times it was senior Anna Pompetti and sophomore Kate Stanton.
The scoring opportunities were aplenty for the Lions, who held a 10-0 lead less than 10 minutes into regulation. The cushion triggered the running clock, and from that point onward the Lions were in practice mode, honing their skills for a very good Unionville team Wednesday.
“We were working on our confidence and we wanted to come out strong. We didn’t want to take them lightly,” said Harding, who tallied four
goals and one assist. “We are really excited to keep rolling and we know that we have to take it one game at a time.”
Harding, Stanton and Pompetti all netted four goals. Adisyn Bernhardt had a hat trick and Cara Childs chipped in with a pair of goals.
Goalies Sophie and Sarah Pasnak shared duties. Together they stopped three shots.
Gianna Thaxton scored two goals for Phoenixville.
Penncrest (14-5) began the season with nine consecutive wins. Two of the Lions’ five losses were one-goal games, including an 11-10 setback to reigning PIAA Class 3A champion Radnor.
“Unionville will be tough, but the good thing is we’ve played tough teams in the Central League,” Morgan said. “We’ll be really prepared for that and I think tonight was a really good confidence booster when it comes to our fundamentals, controlling the ball and possessing the ball. It was a good game for our morale.”