HERSHEY -- The ending was harsh for the Dallastown girls' soccer team, the momentum of its postseason run bought to a crunching halt at Hershey High School.

Cumberland Valley's forwards were too fast. It's passing too precise. It's defense too sturdy.

And because of that, the Wildcats saw their unprecedented postseason run end in the form of a lopsided 4-0 defeat to their District 3 counterpart in the PIAA Class AAA semifinals. The Eagles scored a pair of goals in each half and allowed Dallastown precious few spells of possession.

"We just had trouble keeping up," Dallastown defender Shannon Zimardo said. "We don't play at that caliber all year."

Cumberland Valley (22-4-1) advanced to Friday's PIAA final to face Hershey,

Dallastown goalkeepers Becca Austin, left, and Jackie Ketterman embrace prior to Tuesday's PIAA semifinal at Hershey High School. The Wildcats fell 4-0 to Cumberland Valley. (Daily Record/Sunday News - Steve Navaroli)
the state's top-ranked team.

Dallastown (22-5-1) went into Tuesday with dreams of that same finals spot. Of a rematch with Hershey, which Dallastown battled to a tight 1-0 loss in the District 3 playoffs.

Instead, the Wildcats will have to settle for being the first YAIAA team to advance to a PIAA semifinal. Not a bad consolation prize.

"Though we're disappointed, I told the girls you have to hold your head high," Dallastown coach Barry Barbush said. "We advanced a whole further than A.) people expected us to and B.) further than I thought they would."

No amount of mojo or feel-good sentiment, it seemed, would help Dallastown on this day. Not against Cumberland Valley's short-passing game, which slowly siphoned away at the Wildcats' legs. Dallastown made its postseason charge thanks mostly to a hard-to-crack defense. But on this day, the Wildcats spent the better part of 80 minutes chasing the ball.

"I knew we'd be able to get possession against Dallastown in the attacking third," Eagles coach Seth Lehman said. "But what I really stressed was patience with the soccer ball.

"Keep the ball, make them chase. And then things will open up."

Cumberland Valley had several near-misses early, before breaking through in the 29th minute. Eagles forward Carter Sheely's shot was deflected high up in the air, and its bounce inside the box eluded Dallastown keeper Becca Austin. Junior Kelly Pizzingrilli swooped in to poke the shot into an empty net.

Pizzingrilli and sophomore Cassie Pecht each netted a pair of goals for Cumberland Valley. Pecht scored her first with 4:20 left in the first half and sent the Wildcats staggering into halftime.

"They're not holding back, there's nobody that's not making a run," Barbush said. "They have multiple threats. And that's a key for them."

The Wildcats never really troubled Eagles goalkeeper Shelbie Rackley. Three of Dallastown's four shots on goal came after Cumberland Valley had gone up 4-0. The Eagles outshot Dallastown, 9-4.

Perhaps not the most ideal way for Dallastown's 10 seniors to go out. Then again, their legacy has already been cemented -- that group won 54 games during the past three seasons, and this year helped the Wildcats set a program single-season record for victories.

"We've accomplished so much," Zimardo said. "We can't look at this one loss as the only part of our season."

Added Barbush: "I think we left a mark with people. I think they know next year Dallastown is a team that will be around."

jclayton@ydr.com; 771-2045

 

CUMBERLAND VALLEY 4, DALLASTOWN 0
Dallastown -- 0   0 -- 0
Cumberland Valley -- 2   2 -- 4

   First Half -- 1. CV, Kelly Pizzingrilli, 11:50; 2. CV, Cassie Pecht (Rachel Kovach), 4:20.
   Second Half -- 3. CV, Pizzingrilli, 20:26; CV, Pecht (Carter Sheely), 16:42.
   Shots On Goal -- DT 4, CV 9.
   Corners -- DT 1, CV 2.
   Goalies -- DT, Becca Austin (5 saves); CV, Shelbie Rackley (4 saves).