HERSHEY — Over the summer, Brandywine Heights girls soccer coach Sarah Soffa had her players write down individual and team goals for the upcoming season.
Sophomore Olivia Moyer and her teammates wrote that they wanted to win the District 3 Class 1A championship, something no team in school history had ever accomplished.
Propelled by a hat trick from Moyer, the Bullets achieved their goal on Wednesday night, defeating Harrisburg Christian 3-0 to win the district title at Hersheypark Stadium. It was the first time Brandywine Heights had appeared in the final.
“We made history tonight,” Moyer said. “It’s unreal, none of us can believe it. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”
After beginning the season 3-10, the Bullets’ goal of winning the district title may have seemed unlikely to some. However, the players never gave up on their dream.
“We had our doubts, maybe, but we believed in ourselves,” Moyer said. “We had a goal, and we achieved it.”
The beginning of the first half was largely even between the two teams. They traded a few scoring opportunities, each hitting the post one time.
Brandywine (9-11) found its footing just before halftime, scoring two goals in the span of eight minutes. The Bullets utilized the wide areas of the field and played crosses into the Knights’ 18-yard box to generate offense.
Moyer scored her first goal from inside the box on a powerful shot with just under eight minutes to play in the first half. Her second goal came from close range, as Addison Benner sent an aerial cross to a streaking Moyer, who scored from inside the six-yard box with under a minute to play before halftime.
“She is a great player, she’s a great kid,” Soffa said about Moyer. “She’s just an attribute to this team.”
Brandywine held only a slight advantage in possession and shots on goal in the first half, but controlled the second half. The Bullets’ defense limited Harrisburg Christian (15-3-1) to very few offensive attacks in the final 40 minutes.
“They just did a wonderful job (and) worked as a unit,” Soffa said. “Everything that we’ve tried to instill in them really came out tonight.”
Moyer scored her third goal with just over eight minutes remaining in the second half. Kaitlin Taylor was credited with the assist.
Brandywine Heights played in front of a supportive collection of fans who made the trip to Hershey. As a former member of the Bullets girls soccer team, Soffa recognizes what the district championship means to the community.
“For the community, I think it’s great to rally around sports,” Soffa said. “I think this really has brought the community together.”
Brandywine Heights will continue its season in the state playoffs, which begin Tuesday. Soffa said she believes her team can keep their momentum going in their quest for the school’s first state title.
“I think we’re prepared,” Soffa said. “They’re ready to fight and keep going.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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