York Catholic girls' soccer rebounds to win in PIAA tournament, 4-1
After falling to Trinity in the District 3 title game, York Catholic girls' soccer coach Joe Nattans just wanted his team back on the field. The Irish returned in spectacular fashion with a 4-1 victory over District 2 champion Lakeland in the first round of the PIAA Class A tournament Tuesday at Scranton High School.
The victory propels the Fighting Irish into a Saturday quarterfinal opposite the winner of the opening-round contest between District 4 champion Warrior Run and District 11 champion Pine Grove, which was postponed to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The Fighting Irish opened the scoring just 19 seconds in as Liz Johnson took a run down the right side and sent a pass in to Lisa Casagrande, who knocked it home for the early lead. The District 3 runner-up continued to press the rest of the first half but could not push the insurance goal past the Lakeland keeper.
Midway through the second half the teams slammed home goals at a furious pace. That run started in the 18th minute when Johnson settled a ball near midfield. She beat two defenders and smashed it home for a two-goal lead. Just a minute later the lead increased to 3-0 when Melanie Matthews converted a cross from Courtney Nattans.
The three-goal lead didn't last long as Lakeland scored just a minute later, but it took the Irish only a minute longer to restore the three-goal lead as Courtney Nattans turned and blasted home a Carlolyn Haskell cross.
"After scoring 19 seconds in we tried to play too fast on a slick field," York Catholic coach Joe Nattans said. "We talked at halftime about slowing down, using the elements to move the ball, to possess and pass. We did that very well in the second half."
York Catholic 4, Lakeland 1
at Scranton HS
York Catholic13—4
Lakeland01—1
First Half — 1. YC, Lisa Casagrande (Liz Johnson), 0:19.
Second Half — 2. YC, Johnson, 18:00. 3. YC, Melanie Matthews (Courtney Nattans), 19:00. 4. L, Calachino (Flynn), 20:00. 5. YC, Nattans (Carolyn Haskell), 21:00.