2016 PCL Girls' LAX Semi: Archbishop Wood vs. Lansdale Catholic
Archbishop Wood Team Introduction
Lansdale Catholic Team Introduction
ASTON, PA – After yesterday’s PCL semifinal game, Archbishop Wood’s head coach Dipavali Bhaya awarded her instituted “Believe” plaque to her teams’ MVP of the afternoon.
“You have to believe in yourself,” said coach Bhaya. “We give out a player of the game and the player will sign it. It’s little things like that which helps to motivate. The whole momentum behind our season has been believing that we could do it.”
Wood's E. Craparo & B. Neiley explain their teams' "Believe" MVP award
The award was given to junior Emma Craparo, who scored eight goals in Wood’s 19-9 victory over Lansdale Catholic.
The PCL semifinal game was played at Neumann University, and it started and ended in Wood’s favor. Bridget Neiley got things started on offense for the Vikings, scoring her teams’ first goal just five minutes into the game. Lansdale’s Maeve Echard answered right back scoring her teams’ first about 30 seconds later. The back and fourth scoring continued until the half, with Wood tallying 10 goals to Lansdale’s 5.
B. Neiley explains what attributed to their team win
E. Craparo leaves well wishes for her Wood seniors
After the half, Neiley once again began commanding the offense for Wood scoring two back-to-back goals. Crusaders, Jules Lasanta and Jacqui Jester, each added goals in the second half, but it was not enough to cut Wood’s enhancing lead. Wood’s MVP, Emma Craparo, added four second half goals to basically seal the deal for the Vikings PCL Championship birth – leading to a final score: Wood 19, Lansdale Catholic 9.
S. Opdyke & J. Lasanta talk about their strong team bond
S. Opdyke & J. Lasanta explain how their bond attributes to their success
M. Keenan & M. Cleary talk about their close knit group of seniors
Despite the loss, Lansdale Catholic’s head coach Alexis Setley, explained that this game was just a stepping stone for greater things to come.
“Next year, I want to get to the finals of the PCL. I have a huge sophomore class now, so next year my junior class will be huge and its great to know that these girls come back every year because they want to, maybe it’s secretly for the Rita’s runs, but I like to think they are playing because they love the sport.”
Setley also couldn’t help but gush over her team and the amount of hard work they put in to get to the PCL semifinal.
“They show up every day, not because they have to be there, but because they want to be there. They give 110 percent everyday,” said coach Setley. “I joke at work and say I have 26 kids, they make me crazy, they make me laugh and I would not trade my time that I put in with them for anything.”
PCL Semi: Archbishop Wood vs Lansdale Catholic Highlight Video
With the win, Wood will face Archbishop Carroll in the PCL Final at Neumann University on Monday at 6PM. Bhaya knows that her team will have to battle against Carroll, and most importantly, believe in themselves if they want to hoist the PCL trophy come Monday.
“Carroll is a respectful team and a respected team and they have won for so many years,” said coach Bhaya. “Getting ready for Carroll is almost like we have a 0-0 record right now. It’s one game and that’s all we’re playing for is one game and we are going to focus on us, we are going to focus on some strategy and we are going to focus on BELIEVING.”
Wood Goals:
Emma Craparo – 8
Bridget Neiley – 7
Erin Eckert – 1
Brenna Lynch – 1
Sarah Welsh – 1
Lansdale Goals:
Jacqui Jester – 5
Jules Lasanta – 2
Maeve Echard – 1
Corinne Coonahan – 1
Lansdale Catholic celebrates the success of their season at the final buzzer - PSD Photo