Bears own 2nd half, slam Rams
BUCKTOWN >> Madison Gallagher dreamed of the occasion for years. Camilla Kuever didn’t even know it existed until a few months ago.
But personal history wasn’t the important part of Thursday night’s Pioneer Athletic Conference girls soccer championship game. Only creating new history was for the Boyertown girls soccer team.
With senior goalkeeper Gallagher and junior midfielder Kuever bookending the goal-stopping and goal-scoring portions of the evening and the rest of the Bears covering everything in between, Boyertown put on a comprehensive performance to shut down SpringFord 3-0 in the PAC championship game at Owen J. Roberts for the Bears’ first championship since 2015.
Kuever, the Bears’ exceptional German exchange student who is a member of the Germany U16 women’s national team, netted Boyertown’s first two goals within a two-minute span early in the second half on similar deliveries near the right end line from junior forward Samantha Goffice. She then played creator of freshman Samantha Devlin’s game-sealing third goal on a give-and-go with 6:17 to play.
“That’s kind of the way it’s been for us all year: one person after another picking up play and finding ways to win,” veteran Boyertown coach Bill Goddard said. “They all play so well together they’re not concerned about who gets the credit, just that they’re successful as a group.”
Gallagher, who has been around the Bears program for longer than her four years while following sis
ter Kaleigh (a member of the 2015 title team), didn’t allow a goal in the PAC playoffs. Her second straight shutout required five saves while not facing any great scoring chances thanks largely to her back four of seniors Morgan Kline and Emma Elwell and juniors Mikayla Moyer and Courtney Actis.
”It’s surreal,” Gallagher said after hoisting the championship plaque. “Since my freshman year, I dreamed of being in a PAC final. I got to do it with my best friends and there’s nothing better you could ask for.”
Playing in the league championship game was an unknown for Kuever - “I was actually really nervous for this game,” she said. But she’ll certainly remember it fondly.
“I couldn’t compare anything to this,” she said. “But I just know it’s a really big thing and we worked really hard for this.”
By the middle of the second half, it sounded like Europe: the supporters, the Boyertown student section composed partly of the boys’ team fresh off its own PAC championship in the earlier game, were singing a song dedicated to Kuever.
“I couldn’t hear the exact words. But I really appreciate it,” Kuever said with a big smile.
The No. 1 seed and Liberty Division champion Boyertown (19-1) won its 15th straight game and have built a case for a lengthy postseason as the current No. 3 team in District 1 Class 4A.
Last season became known for its many agonizingly close losses. This fall is trying to make up for it the other way.
“I really think this group is special. Especially for the seniors, we had a tough year last year,” Goddard said. “We lost a lot of close games last year. This year, we’re winning those games.”
For Spring-Ford (15-5 overall, No. 10 in District 1-4A), it was a second straight defeat in the PAC final after falling 1-0 to Owen J. Roberts in 2018.
The Rams split the regular-season meetings with Boyertown but were short on answers to break down the Bears Thursday night.
“I felt the whole game we were closer to scoring than them. We were always closer to a goal,” Kuever said. “We had better passing than in the past games against Spring-Ford. We were more confident and it was just a really good team performance.”
Spring-Ford had the better of possession through 40 minutes, but was not creating high-level scoring opportunities. Boyertown wasn’t either, though it led in shots 3-1.
“I think the first half we started slow,” Goddard said. “I said at halftime, we were tentative, moreso playing not to lose. We certainly didn’t look as confident as we did Tuesday night, at least in the first 40 minutes.”
That changed in the next 40. The Bears got on top quickly and had their reward within 6 minutes when Goffice sped her way to the right end line and played a cut-back pass to a wide-open Kuever in the penalty area for a no-doubt 1-0 lead.
Just 1:15 later, Goffice and Kuever did it again, this time Goffice carrying the ball 30 yards down the right sideline on the counterattack and passing centrally to Kuever for a tougher finish across goal.
The momentum was all Boyertown from there, the perfectly-weighted through ball from Kuever to freshman Devlin for goal No. 3 just the cherry on the top of a title-worthy night.
All that was left was keeping a zero on the other side of the scoreboard and Gallagher and co. were happy to oblige.
“The back four and Maddie Gallagher have been extremely consistent all year for us. One of my challenges to the group going into the tournament was to get some clean sheets because we hadn’t had a shutout in seven games,” Goddard said. “They certainly rose to that occasion.”
Boyertown led in shots on goal, 8-6, and corners, 7-3 … S-F goalkeeper Riley Wallace made five saves. … Boyertown’s seniors are Elwell, Aimee Toscano, Gallagher, Kline, Lauren Moccia, Madison Monka and the injured Raeanne King. … Boyertown turns its attention to the District 1 playoffs, which begin Tuesday, Oct. 22. After a first-round bye, it will open Thursday, Oct. 24. “Every game can be our last so we just have to play and make it as far as we can,” Monka said. “Obviously states is the big goal but we have to take it one game at a time to get as far as we can. We have the chemistry.” … S-F midfielder Hope Flanegin received a second yellow card late in the second half and will miss the Rams’ district first round game.