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Dover doubles down in each half, defeats York Catholic in YAIAA girls' soccer quarterfinals


Dover netted two goals in each half and defeated York Catholic, 4-1, in the quarterfinals of the YAIAA girls' soccer tournament Saturday morning at Gettysburg.

The Eagles jumped ahead less than two minutes into the match when Payton Miller scored off an assist from Kasey Hall. That advantage didn't last long, however.

"Scoring early forced them to chase us," Dover head coach Bret Altimore said. "At times we played well, at times they didn't allow us to play well."

York Catholic (12-4) found the equalizer when Liz Johnson blasted a shot to the top right corner from 35 yards out in the center with 32:02 remaining in the opening half.

"Their goal was great," Altimore said. "She had a fantastic shot there to score."

Melanie Matthews had an opportunity to push the Irish in front, but her attempt was parried by Eagles goalkeeper Tori Wantz with 29:48 left until halftime.

Hall then gave the Eagles the advantage for good when her shot from deep on the right flank with 20:16 to go before intermission found the back of the net.

Dover (10-2-3) looked to increase the lead early in the second half, but Amelia Strayer denied Libby McKeever with 36:07 left. But the Eagles did add to their edge when Brooke Firestone's left-footed rip from 15 yards away squirted through Strayer's grasp with 34:21 to play.

Cierra Malehorn put a cap on the scoring with a goal off Miller's helper with 16:36 left to play.

The Eagles will next face Central York, an 8-3 winner over Gettysburg, in the semifinals on Tuesday at a site and time to be announced.

Dover held a 13-6 advantage in shots on goal and corners were even, 2-2.

"That's a good team that we beat today," Altimore said. "They won (YAIAA) Division III for a reason. They're really good and they're going to be a problem for the team that they face in the first round of districts."

Dover22—4York Catholic10—1

First Half — 1. Do, Payton Miller (Kasey Hall), 38:02. 2. YC, Liz Johnson, 32:02. 3. Do, Hall, 20:16.

Second Half — 4. Do, Brooke Firestone, 34:21. 5. Do, Cierra Malehorn (Miller), 16:36.

Shots on Goal — Do 13, YC 6

Corners — Do 2, YC 2

Goalies — Do, Tori Wantz (5 saves), YC, Amelia Strayer (9 saves)

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Dover doubles down in each half, defeats York Catholic

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