Girls' soccer: Hess OT goal lifts Annville-Cleona into district semis

What better way for the Annville-Cleona girls' soccer team to follow up its first-ever district playoff win than with a second one?

And a dramatic one at that.

A-C stormed into the District Three Class A semifinals with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory at Mount Calvary on Thursday night.

Reagan Hess's goal in the 83rd minute off an assist from Liane Lech was the memorable game-winner and sends No.5 seed A-C into the semis on Monday against top-seeded Trinity, a 6-1 winner over Camp Hill. The teams will square off at 6 p.m. at Lower Dauphin Middle School.

Now 14-7, the Little Dutchmen fell behind 1-0 in the 16th minute when Kaitlyn Espenshade scored on a direct kick, but fought back to tie just before the half when Hess set up Malin Hermanson for the equalizer.

The teams would battle through a scoreless second half, setting the stage for Hess to end it in the third minute of OT courtesy of a through ball from Lech that she promptly put home from the six-yard line.

Anna Soliday picked up the win in goal for A-C, which enjoyed a 9-5 advantage in shots.

Annville-Cleona 2, Mount Calvary 1 (OT)

Annville-Cleona101—

2 Mount Calvary100—

First half — AC: Malin Hermanson, MC: Kaitlyn Espenshade

Second half — None

Overtime — AC: Reagan Hess

Assists — AC: Hess, Liane Lech

Shots on goal — Annville-Cleona 9, Mount Calvary 5;

Corners — Annville-Cleona 1, Mount Calvary 1;

Saves — AC: Anna Soliday (4 saves), MC: Lydia Ewing (8 saves)