|
Set for tonight at...
The scene will be Dollinger Field at the Cathedral Prep Events Center, Wednesday, 6:00 pm. Perennial powerhouse St. George’s will engage an upstart Villa Maria Elementary Blue Wings squad bent on winning its first Erie Parochial Soccer League girls varsity championship in its 119-year history. St. George’s enters with a spotless 10-0-0 record, while VME shows a fine 14-1-0 chart, with its only loss earlier in the season to the Lancers, 2-1. Villa had a 1-0 edge in that heart-pounding battle, but lost in the second half on a late Mariah Elwell goal.
St. George’s won its place in the finals with a 2-0 victory over St. James Tuesday evening at the Bixby Bowl. That contest was played on even terms until Lancer superstar Morgan Putnam scored in the 50th minute after a nicely placed pass from teammate Annie Elia. Putnam ended all doubt with her second goal of the evening just moments later. Villa Maria gained entry to the title clash last Thursday with a thrilling 3-2 win over defending champion Our Lady of Peace in triple overtime. The SGS-St. James linescore:
St. James (3-5-2) 0 0—0
St. George’s (10-0-0) 0 2—2
GOALS—SGS: Morgan Putnam 2 (50th assist Annie Elia, 53rd unassisted); SHUTOUT GOALIE—SGS: Chloe Hampy; OFFICIALS—Byron Smith, Michael Jacob; TIME OF GAME—60 minutes.
St. George’s most recent titles were in 2006, 2008 and 2009. The Lancers have a certain fighting quality and have lost but one game in the past four years, that being a stunning 1-0 upset to Our Lady of Peace in 2010’s championship contest. Villa’s first-year coach, Dan Brabender, oddly enough, was at the OLP helm in 2010. Brabender also guided St. George’s to a championship in 1998 and a finals appearance in 1997. Sarah Elwell, one of Brabender’s star players at SGS in the 1990’s, is in her second campaign as the Lancers’ mentor.
St. George’s uses a 4-4-2 and relies on the offensive power of that dangerous little fireball, Putnam. Defensive prowess is provided by sweeper deluxe Mariah Elwell, a virtual stonewall to attacking opponents. Villa showcases an explosive offense with impressive credentials, but will also bolster its defense with a 5-2-3 lineup. A classic, superlative, fierce championship game is expected.
The Blue Wings finished their final practice by inaugurating a new custom—the “Burning of the Soccer Ball Ceremony”. A miniature bonfire was lit near the practice field and a soccer ball was signed by all players and coaches then burned, emblematic of the season that would pass into history with the impending championship battle. Every player, with the team captains speaking last, gave short pep talks. The coaches then all spoke, commending the players on their fine season and asking the players to give their all just one more time. Then, as a finishing touch, Coach Brabender tossed one of the soccer balls that the team practiced with all year into the blaze.
The probable starting lineups:
ST. GEORGE SCHOOL VILLA MARIA ELEMENTARY
Morgan Putnam (8) FWD FWD Taylor McMahon (7)
Annie Elia (8) FWD FWD Emma Shimek (7)
Julia Lorei (7) MF FWD Sarah Vicary (6)
Hannah Zeigler (7) MF MF Mary McGovern (5)
Jamie Laughlin (8) MF MF Caralyn Wilcox (6)
Carly Kneidinger (8) MF DEF Hannah Marchant (7)
Liz Chase (7) DEF DEF Amelia Eagley (7)
Katie Hess (8) DEF DEF Kelly Fehr (7)
Mia Lavery (8) DEF DEF Rachel Mannino (7)
Mariah Elwell (8) DEF DEF Kaia Russell (7)
Chloe Hampy (8) GK GK Anna McGovern (7)
Luther Memorial and Erie Day School play in the Co-ed championship at 4:30 pm, while Blessed Sacrament and Mount Carmel vie in the boys’ title game at 7:30 pm.
 Villa Maria ceremony!
|
Parochial Grade School League 