Ella Moore (13) of South Williamsport scores a aim towards Northumberland Christian at Midd-West High School in Middleburg. South received 7-0.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
South Williamsport’s women soccer crew is pretty younger with quite a few sophomores and freshmen dotting the roster. Only 4 seniors are on the crew in Althea Street, Addisyn Morrison, Olivia Miller and Ella Moore. And whereas each playoff recreation is essential, contemplate Tuesday’s District 4 Class A semifinal only a tad extra significant for the Mounties’ senior class.
And no, it isn’t just because that is their final yr in a blue and white uniform. Rather, it’s the opponent.
South Williamsport heads to Milton tonight for a District 4 Class A showdown towards Southern Columbia, the highest seed in Class A.
Rewind 4 years in the past to a cold November night time at Milton nonetheless and one can understand what makes this recreation between the Mounties and Tigers a great rivalry recreation.
It was that night time in 2022 when the Mounties and Tigers met up within the PIAA Class A semifinals with a visit to the state last on the road. That recreation went into two time beyond regulation durations during which the Tigers earned a 2-1 win.
Ayla Minier of South Williamsport celebrates a aim towards Northumberland Christian at Midd-West High School in Middleburg. South received 7-0.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
That was the second playoff assembly between the 2 that season and Tuesday marks their first playoff recreation towards each other since that date in November in 2022.
Now the seniors who do not forget that recreation in 2022 get to shut out a chapter.
“We’ve been definitely preparing for that game the most because they’re our rival since us seniors were freshmen,” Moore mentioned. “I think it’s going to be a big game and we really want it a lot. We’re really excited for that.”
And what extra may you ask for than an enormous playoff recreation?
South Williamsport (12-4-3) has performed robust competitors this yr and all that has led to a troublesome showdown with an excellent and gifted Southern Columbia squad (16-3).
Coco Kline (proper) and Ana Oeler of South Williamsport have fun a aim by Kline towards Northumberland Christian at Midd-West High School in Middleburg. South received 7-0.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
“I definitely do (think a tough schedule is beneficial),” Moore mentioned. “They played a lot of similar teams too I think watching the films against those games; we know since we played other teams, we know how they play.”
Southern Columbia has six standout gamers who’ve both double digit objectives, assists or each. Kennadie Reamer, a senior, leads Southern with 17 objectives and 5 assists whereas sophomore Kailee Helwig has 16 objectives and 18 assists, junior Alyssa Conner has 14 objectives and 6 assists, sophomore Olivia Jones has 12 objectives and 7 assists, sophomore Macie Swank has 10 objectives and 9 assists and freshman Isabella Snyder has 14 assists.
“Just a lot of effort from all of us and just know how we play,” South’s Coco Kline mentioned of the expectations getting into the semifinals. “We’ve been working all season, sure every team has been doing that as well, but we really try to put in a lot of work and hopefully we can make it to the next round.”
South Williamsport might not be the highest seed on this yr’s match, however the Mounties do have a goal on their again. South Williamsport has received three consecutive District 4 championships and is hoping this season caps with a four-peat.
No District 4 crew has ever claimed 4 straight Class A titles earlier than. Only Loyalsock (2010-12) and Warrior Run (2014-16) have received three in a row in that classification, becoming a member of this present Mounties crew. The solely groups to win 4 straight District 4 championships previous to this fall are Central Columbia (2021-24) and Williamsport (District 2-4 Class AAAA, 2016-20).
For this group of underclassmen at South Williamsport, they’re excited to be competing within the district semifinals and taking part in for a last berth. That consists of Kline, who’s a sophomore.
“It’s really exciting. We’ve been here before and for our freshman, it’s exciting because it’s their first time here,” Kline mentioned. “But everyone’s spirits are up and high.”