Mercier makes sure as LC outlasts Carroll

Crusaders survive test in quarterfinals

LANSDALE >> Ava Mercier wasn’t taking any chances.

The Lansdale Catholic freshman saw the ball hovering over the goal line late in the second overtime Thursday afternoon but she also saw the gloved hands of Archbishop Carroll keeper Nikki Cashin closing in. Having seen Cashin take away too many chances already, Mercier put her foot through the ball and knocked it into the net.

Thanks to the freshman’s goal with 4:30 left, the No. 3 Crusaders edged the No. 6 Patriots 1-0 in their PCL quarterfinal matchup.

“Taylor (Connelly) took the corner kick and played it in, then Lauren Edwards had a nice touch into the goal,” Mercier said. “I thought the goalie was going to get it so I tapped it in. She was a good goalie, we kept going high and she always got to the ball so I kept it low.”

Back in September, the Crusaders topped Carroll in tight match. Thursday was even closer as a combination of otherworldly bad luck and outstanding goalkeeping

THE SCORE

LC 1, Archbishop Carroll 0 Up next for LC: The Crusaders will face Archbishop Wood Tuesday night in the PCL semifinals at the Trifecta Sporting Club. by Cashin allowed the Patriots to go toe-to-toe with the defending PCL champions.

Carroll didn’t create a ton inside 20 yards, but the Patriots put some quality chances on from distance and twice hit the crossbar. Earlier in the season, Carroll coach Tom Quintos said if his team lost in the playoffs, it wouldn’t be for a lack of effort and that was certainly the

ANDREW ROBINSON/MEDIANEWS GROUP Taylor Connelly (18) and Ava Mercier (28) track back for the ball against Archbishop Carroll on Thursday.