Cougars fall to Penncrest in double overtime

It took a couple of overtimes and an inspired performance by the defense but Penncrest defeated Downingtown East, 11-10, Tuesday to advance to the District 1 Class 2A semifinals and clinch its first berth in the states since 2018.

Junior Kat Harding atoned for picking up a yellow card with 56 seconds left in regulation by burying a free position with 3.2 ticks left in sudden victory time to send the fourthseeded Lions into the semis opposite top-seeded Springfield Thursday.

“Honestly, all I was thinking was make it,” Harding said of her second goal. “If you don’t, get the ball back and start another overtime. But in my mind, it was make it and we’re moving on to the semifinals and states.”

Harding picked her spot, took a deep breath and BOOM, fired the ball past goalie Addy Mulhern, who was sensational stopping 11 shots, including a couple of late free positions.

“It’s really hard for it to end on an 8-meter like that,” said Downingtown coach Kathryn Kropp. “It’s kind of like the game is already decided for you.”

The Cougars need a win in the consolation round to reach states.

There were plenty of opportunities for both teams to secure the decision. The Lions (16-3) built a 6-4 lead by the intermission, Kate Stanton scoring four of her six goals.

The fifth-seeded Cougars bounced back to take an 8-7 lead on a goal by Sofia Fanneli, Eileen Hewitt (three goals, two assists) setting her up with the helper and trailed just once in the last 17 minutes of regulation.

The Cougars (14-4-1) looked like they would win without overtime after Ally Kennedy tallied with 7:10 to go.

But Stanton would not be denied as she scored with 1:09 left to knot the game and the Lions killed off the penalty on Harding.

Lions coach Caitlyn Morgan, after coaching 56 minutes, still had the strength to hold her two children while recalling the situational segments her team worked on in practice.

“It’s funny because in practice we do scenarios and a lot of times it’s like, ‘one minute left, tie game, overtime,’” Morgan said. “And it’s just interesting that that’s how it worked out tonight. It seemed like a scenario the girls I guess were comfortable handling. These girls are the best. They deserve it. They work so hard. And it’s been a while since Penncrest has been in states.”

First, obviously, are the Springfield Cougars, who have played formidable lacrosse all season long. They defeated Radnor, 14-10, to reach the semis.

“We’ve been trying to tell these girls how fun it is and how proud they should be,” Morgan said of states. “I think it’s hard for them to grasp that because they haven’t been there yet. So now, they’re going to get a taste of that.”

Harding and her teammates, including goalie Sara Kanasiak, who stopped 13 shots, already are reveling in the challenge.

“This win is huge,” Hardin said. “I don’t know the last time we’ve been to the semifinals in districts, but it’s been a long time. I’m just happy to continue the ride.”

The Cougars on the other hand, are anything but done. They play Thursday.

“I told the girls there’s still a lot of lacrosse to play,” Kropp said. “They’re a very resilient team. They work hard every day. We’ll reset tomorrow and prepare for Thursday.”