CALN — Just the fourth-place team coming out of the District 1 tournament, Unionville suddenly finds itself just a win away from playing for a state championship.
Sophomore forward Kyra O’Donnell scored late in the first half as the Longhorns turned back District 1 champs and Ches-Mont League American Division rival Kennett, 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the PIAA 2A tournament at Coatesville on Saturday.
Standing between Unionville and a shot at a title will be defending state champion Warwick, who topped Salisbury, 9-4. on Saturday. The semifinal will be Tuesday at a time and place to be determined.
“We played Kennett early in the season (a 2-1 Kennett win),” said Unionville coach Amanda Panati. “That was a close game too, and even though we lost, we all said that was someone we hoped we got to play again in the playoffs. Our league schedule and our district is such good competition, it really lets us know that once you get here, anyone can beat anyone.”
The Blue Demons (16-7-1) controlled possession through much of the early going, and held a 6-0 advantage in penalty corners until late in the first half. Unfortunately for Kennett, they were unable to convert as the Unionville corner defense was impenetrable.
Thanks to that effort, the Unionville offense was able to find its footing and forced its first penalty corner with 2:31 left in the second.
O’Donnell put the ball in play on the insert, sending it to Chloe Almeida at the top of the circle, then slid over to the post. Almeida sent the ball towards the right side of the cage, where a waiting O’Donnell tapped it in for the lead.
“Chloe made a perfect drive towards the right and I just tipped it in,” said O’Donnell. “When we finally got that corner, I just thought that this was it — this was our chance. When I got a hold of it, I knew I had to make sure we put it in. This just feels amazing.”
While the advantage held up as the final, it isn’t as though Kennett didn’t have its chances. By game’s end, the Blue Demons held a 14-3 advantage in penalty corners, but the Longhorns rarely even allowed a shot on goal.
“There’s been a few games this year when we struggled to convert on corners,” said Kennett coach Meghan Shumway. “But we always found a way to win. We just didn’t today. Unionville outplayed us.”
At the end of the third, Kennett had forced three consecutive corners as time expired, but all three were turned away, including one on a spectacular diving save from goalie Phoebe Huffman.
Huffman was a late arrival to the game Saturday, as the junior was in another state competition, this time as a flutist in the marching band.
“It’s been a hectic day,” said Huffman. “But, I think it just all really helped keep my energy levels high all day. We were really on it as a unit today. This team has so much love and heart, it’s amazing to be going through this experience with these girls. If we keep playing the way we have, I really think we can win it all.”
Kennett’s season comes to an end with a record of 18-5. Among those wins are a second straight Ches-Mont American championship and a district crown.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this group of girls,” said Shumway. “These seniors have put in a lot of time and a lot of work over the years and deserve the kind of season they’ve had. They played a big part in changing the culture in the Kennett field hockey program and I hope they keep watching to see the kind of program they helped build.”
Unionville 1, Kennett 0
Unionville 0 1 0 0 — 1Kennett. 0 0 0 0 — 0
Unionville goal: O’Donnell.Goalie saves: Huffman (U) 3. Mack (K) 2.
Source: Berkshire mont
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