Four Centre County girls’ soccer teams are taking part in the District 6 playoffs, which got underway with Saint Joseph’s Class 1A match against Westmont Hilltop on Tuesday.
Penns Valley garnered the third seed in Class 2A and was scheduled to begin postseason play Wednesday — after the Gazette’s press deadline — with a match against sixth-seeded Juniata at Bald Eagle Area High School.
State College and Bellefonte will play as No. 2 seeds in the District 6 championship matches in Class 4A and 3A, respectively. State faces Altoona at Saint Francis University in Loretto at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29. Bellefonte, meanwhile, meets Hollidaysburg at Bald Eagle Area on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m.
BELLEFONTE
Bellefonte jumped out to a six-goal lead by halftime en route to a 7-1 victory over visiting Philipsburg-Osceola in a Mountain League match Oct. 17.
Mallorie Smith recorded a hat trick and an assist for the Lady Red Raiders, who improved to 10-7-1. Maddie Morelli scored two goals for
Bellefonte, who also received a goal apiece from Mackenzie Hubbs and Mia Johnson.
Bellefonte’s Addyson Manning registered two assists, while Harley Stahlman also had a helper.
The Lady Raiders’ Haley Popovitch stopped two of the three shots she faced. Bellefonte took 19 shots.
P-O dipped to 0-15.
PENNS VALLEY
Hannah Montminy’s goal at 89:14 was the only scoring in the match as Penns Valley clipped Bald Eagle Area, 1-0, in overtime, in a Mountain League contest Oct. 17.
“The trio of Hannah Montminy, Hannah Denger and Katie Martell created several good chances but two shots off the crossbar, some near misses and some great saves by BEA’s goalie, Rachel Veneziano, kept us off the board and forced overtime,” Penns Valley coach Andrew Beverley said. “As they have done so many times this year, our girls stepped up to the challenge.
“Games against BEA are always tough. We tried to keep the girls calm and composed but sometimes the excitement of the game can grab ahold of you. It was another back and forth game.”
Penns Valley improved to 12-4 overall and 12-1 in the league.
Montminy’s goal was unassisted.
Kylie Auman and Erica Randolph combined on the shutout for the Lady Rams, turning away seven of BEA’s 12 shots.
Veneziano made nine saves for Bald Eagle.
On Oct. 19, the Lady Rams dropped a 6-0 decision to Mifflinburg in a make-up match.
Mifflinburg outshot Penns Valley, 20-6. Macie Schnure scored a hat trick, while Cara Shook, Riley Griffith and Vanessa Martin also found the net.
GRACE PREP
Abigael Fisher rocketed a shot to the back post in the 32nd minute as Grace Prep played to a 1-1 draw with Harrisburg Academy on Oct. 16.
Grace Prep ended the season 4-5-5.
Kadence Barr assisted on Fisher’s goal, which started out with a Fisher corner kick.
Harrisburg Academy evened it up on Lelia Simm’s goal in the 68th minute.
Grace Prep only had three shots on goal, while Harrisburg Academy had just six. Makayla Ley made five saves for the Lady Storm.
“This was a defensive battle. Both teams threatened, however the defenses were effective in shutting down the attacks,” Grace Prep coach Jason Fisher said.
