Pennridge’s start, Groff’s finish help Rams edge North Penn

EAST ROCKHILL >> Abby Groff didn’t have much time.

As the Pennridge senior closed toward the North Penn goal, Knights senior keeper Ashley Schmidt was charging off her line, determined to halt Groff’s scoring chance. With no time to pick a spot, aim high or low or even find an angle, Groff just had to shoot as Schmidt started to slide.

Her shot couldn’t have been better, slipping between the keeper’s legs and into the back of the net for a tide-changing goal.

“I really don’t know how I did it, I kind of just kicked it and hoped for the best,” Groff said. “I wasn’t really picking a side, I saw her coming right at me so all I could do was kick it right at her and hope Up next: Pennridge will host Abington Saturday. for the best.”

Groff’s goal gave the No. 3 Rams all the security they needed to fend off a resilient No. 14 Knights team 3-1 Thursday night in the second round of the District 1- 4A girls soccer playoffs.

Pennridge couldn’t have gotten off to a better start by putting away a pair of goals before 10 minutes had expired from the game clock. The Rams, who had a first-round bye, were upset in the same round last year as the top overall seed but senior goalkeeper Mary Kate Levush said she only had good nerves on Thursday.

North Penn won its first round game over Avon Grove 4-0, but also had a slow start in that match. Against Pennridge, the Knights knew they could ill-afford that same kind of jittery opening act.

“It’s a thing called nerves, they did the same thing the other night but we weren’t up against this high of quality,” Knights coach Steve Whitby said. “Once we settled down, I thought it was a reasonable match and we had them on their back foot a large part of the second half. We just couldn’t find the onion bag.”

Lauren McIntyre was extra-aggressive early, forcing Schmidt into a trio of early saves in the first eight minutes. Her third effort, while denied, played back into the box where Pennridge sophomore Lindsey DeHaven capitalized for a putback to open the scoring.

About two minutes later, a free kick by Chance Hendricks led to

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GENE WALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Pennridge goalie Brooklynn Hudgins goes up to catch a corner kick between North Penn’s Emma Dickson and Alexa Sparango Thursday night.