The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Dock advances to district final, clinches state berth
JENKINTOWN » Dock Mennonite scored early and added an insurance goal late in its 2-0 win over Jenkintown in the District 1-A semifinals Thursday afternoon at Jenkintown High School.
The win sends the thirdseeded Pioneers to the district final against New Hope-Solebury and clinches the program’s first state playoff berth since 2016.
“It’s awesome,” Dock coach Michelle Waldspurger said. “I’m so proud of our team. I only have one senior, so this is just a great accomplishment for our team this year.”
“This is so exciting,” Dock captain Ainsley Moyer added. “This is the best season that we’ve had so far. Going to states is really, really incredible. I never thought we’d get there.”
Moyer scored the winning goal less than five minutes into the game. Olivia
Zaskoda inserted a penalty corner to Celest Derstine. Derstine sent the ball in front of the cage, where
Moyer gained possession and finished for a 1-0 lead.
“Everything happened really fast,” Moyer said.
“It was just really intense. It was a nice opening that I could quick knock it in there.”
The early score allowed Dock to play with a lead for more than 55 minutes.
“(Scoring early) can definitely change the outlook,” Waldspurger said. “It’s nice to be up versus playing from behind. It’s definitely a strategy.”
The Pioneers added their second goal with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Zaskoda found Eden Schrag in front of the cage to make it 2-0.
Two goals was more than enough with the way Dock was defending. The Pioneers stopped all six penalty corners they faced and goalie Haley Harper made four saves.
“Talking and our goalie is our eyes on the field,” Moyer credited for the shutout. “She likes to tell us where we need to be. That’s really helpful. Talking to each other and seeing where we’re at has been the key to our success.”
The district semifinal was the second-seeded Drakes third loss of the season. All three losses came against Dock after losing 3-0 on Sept. 16 and 4-2 on Oct. 5.
“It’s a rivalry that we have — league rivalry,” Jenkintown coach Katie Juliani said. “We really came out here thinking we could get them at home.”
Jenkintown’s season comes to an end with a 133-1 record.
“It was an awesome season,” Juliani said, “especially coming off of COVID and not being able to play a full schedule. I’m really thrilled with the way the girls played, came together. If I’m being honest — completely unexpected. They really rose to the occasion and became a really strong team. I’m really proud of them.
Dock Mennonite 2, Jenkintown 0
Dock Mennonite Jenkintown 1 0 0 1 — 2 00 00 —0
Goals: D: Ainsley Moyer, Eden Schrag. Assists: D: Celest Derstine, Olivia Zaskoda.
Saves: D: Haley Harper 4. J: Jess Spindler 4.