Parkland girls power past Freedom
The District 11 3A girls quarterfinal, the opener of a girlsboys doubleheader at Freedom, was every bit as close as the boys’ contest.
Parkland senior Kaz Kennedy scored the game-winner with 1:19 left to propel the Trojans to a 12-11 win over Freedom. Coach Brittaney Costigan’s fifth-seeded Trojans (10-8) advance to play No. 1 seed Emmaus (17-3) in Monday’s 7 p.m. semifinal at Northampton’s Al Erdosy Stadium.
Kennedy, who recorded several key draw controls in the final 10 minutes, finished with two goals and an assist. She fought hard for her final tally.
“I was getting a little out of control and I lost the ball,” Kennedy said, “but I scooped it
right up and I was able to get back under control. I saw the opportunity and I took it. It worked out.”
Senior Nikki Boyer totaled five goals for Parkland and sophomore Gigi Leonzi contributed four goals and two assists.
The Trojans opened a 3-0 lead in the first three minutes but coach Charis Innarella’s No. 4 Patriots (11-6) battled back to even the score at 6 at halftime. Neither team led by more than one goal in the
second half.
Junior Paige Jenkins led Freedom with five goals.
“I think we played smart,” said Costigan, in her first season as coach at Parkland. “That’s been our theme this season, to play smart. I think that’s what they did. The girls were patient and it came.”
EPC champion Pleasant Valley shut out Delaware Valley of District 2 16-0 in a subregional
quarterfinal played on Tuesday.
The third-seeded Bears (16-5) meet No. 2 Easton (14-5) in Monday’s 5 p.m. semifinal at Al Erdosy Stadium.
Senior Alexandra Bush led Pleasant Valley with six goals and sister Devon Bush, a sophomore, scored four. Senior Brielle McInaw added two goals.