Boone beats Weiser to clinch Berks II title

When talking about contenders for the Berks Girls Soccer League title, Wilson, Wyomissing and Gov. Mifflin often come up.

Daniel Boone did its best to put itself in the conversation. The Blazers defeated Conrad Weiser 3-0 Saturday afternoon in Robesonia to clinch the Berks II title and send notice they are ready for the postseason.

“I think we can compete with everybody in Berks County,” said Daniel Boone coach Mark Reightneour. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Alexandra Woodcock had a goal and an assist and Lily Ferguson and Nicole Brown also scored as the Blazers (9-2 Berks II, 11-3) blanked the Scouts (74, 10- 4) for the second time this season.

Senior goalie Jenna Heasley made four saves for the shutout, the Blazers’ second straight and fourth this season.

“I think if we play our game we can definitely go far,” Heasley said.

The Blazers have lost three games by a total of five goals to the aforementioned trio of teams usually mentioned in championship talk.

But they have taken the first step to joining that elite group by qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and reaching one of their big goals.

“This was our goal at the beginning of the season to win our division,” Reightneour said. “We’ve accomplished what we set out to do so far.”

The “so far” means there is still more for the Blazers to accomplish. The Berks playoffs start Tuesday. Daniel Boone is fifth in the District 3 Class 3A power rankings, just one spot out of earning a firstround home game.

“We haven’t done that in five years,” Heasley said about making the playoffs. “All through my career we haven’t gone this far.”

Ferguson got the Blazers started Saturday when she took a pass from Gabby Fontana and scored on a breakaway less than 10 minutes into the game. Woodcock scored off an assist from Emma Key, using her speed to beat the Conrad Weiser defense down the sideline.

Brown capped the scoring with 11 minutes left when she took a pass from Woodcock and got past the defense as Conrad Weiser was unable to match Daniel Boone’s speed up front. Only a strong effort by goalie Caitlyn Williams, who had eight saves, kept the Scouts in the game that long.

“It’s the same team we played earlier and it was 1- 0,” said Conrad Weiser coach Doug Miller. “We just didn’t come out and play our game today.”

The Scouts also are headed to the county playoffs but will need a better effort to compete with the contenders.

As for Daniel Boone, Reightneour and the Blazers are anxious to stop talking and show what they can do on the soccer field.

“Definitely we’re ready,” Reightneour said.