It’s not over until it’s over.
The Foxes girls’ soccer team just got to experience the meaning of that idiom when they beat Mt. Lebanon, 1-0, in the WPIAL Class AAA consolation match held November 2. That win kept their playoff chances alive by giving them the chance to compete in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.
“The team played a strong game offensively, despite scoring only one goal,” says coach Peter Torres, who recently was named co-section coach of the year. “We held them defensively and were able to withstand a flurry of activity in front of the goal at the end of the game.”
Their victory was, in part, motivated by their loss in the WPIAL quarterfinals to an undefeated and superb Norwin team that eventually advanced to the WPIAL final championship game. Coach Torres says the Foxes played that game perfectly, so it’s not surprising that there was a lot of disappointment going around the locker room. Admirably, they were able to get over those initial feelings and regain their mental composure to win the consolation game.
“We know that advancing in the PIAA playoffs will be a challenge,” says Coach Torres. “We already know we will play one of the two top WPIAL teams to open the tournament.”
Seniors Deena DeBaldo, Mikayla D’Cunha, Maddie Lucey, Bryanna Urso, and Dixon Veltri are providing great leadership, each in their own way, either through their actions on the field or how they instill a strong work ethic in the team. Deena is the Foxes’ top scorer with 27 goals. Dixon has 22 assists, and sophomore goalies Kate Feczko and Julie Scheffler have 11 combined shutouts.
The team voted junior Greta Lazzara as their unsung hero, but Coach Torres considers anyone who had to switch positions and play new roles also worthy of recognition.
“We understand that each game could be our last and that you have to leave everything on the field,” Coach Torres says. “Our team is well prepared. We’re doing a lot of scouting, going over the game plan and executing it during practices and games. That’s the way we are approaching what comes next
The Foxes will play in the first round of the PIAA playoffs championship Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Mars High School.