ASTON, PA – Extended postseason play in the PIAA state playoffs has been cut short again for Archbishop Carroll. The Patriots were unable to stop Conestoga attacker and Lehigh University commit, Sondra Dickey, who put up 8 goals during the first round of the state tournament yesterday afternoon at Neumann University.
With a little over 17 minutes remaining in the first half, Conestoga led Carroll 2-1, but the Patriots held their composure. Anna Murphy, Sam Swart and Rachel Matey scored three quick goals to put Carroll in the lead 4-2. After a brief Pioneer timeout, the momentum began to shift in Conestoga’s favor, and lasted throughout the rest of the contest.
PIAA First Round (90 Photos)
Monica Borzillo (3), Paige Loose (3) and Maggie Gladden (1) followed Dickey’s lead and propelled their team on offense resulting in a 15-9 Pioneer victory. Conestoga will face Kennard-Dale High School in the PIAA quarterfinals on Saturday, June 4th.
Monica Borzillo scores a goal for Conestoga
Sam Swart scores a goal for Carroll
Conestoga’s head coach Amy Orcutt explained that her team has been driven to fix the small things during games in order to achieve their ultimate goal – making it to the PIAA state final.
“The girls have really been focused since our last game. They have one goal in mind and they have been working really hard and are staying focused,” said Orcutt, who is in her seventh year coaching the Pioneers. “Today we had a really big game from some of our big players. Sondra Dickey had 8 goals and Jules Horning came up huge. We struggled with the draw but once we figured out how to get it, I think that was the game changer.”
And a game changer it was – Carroll’s head coach Lorraine Beers explained that the draw was a main attributer to her teams’ loss.
“We shot poorly and we came up short on draw controls and if you can’t possess the ball you can’t win the game,” said Beers. “We had too many mistakes today, but that’s life. Victory goes to the person who plays the better game, and they definitely played a better game than us.”
Archbishop Carroll and Conestoga High School are only 6 miles apart. The distance between the schools is not the only thing that’s close. A number of the girls on each squad also play together during the offseason on the Phantastix lacrosse team – a club team that also calls Lorraine Beers "head coach".
“I’m close with a few of the Conestoga girls, they are great kids,” said Beers.
Sondra Dickey commends Carroll & discusses what attributed to the Pioneers victory
Monica Borzillo leaves well wishes for coach Orcutt.
As for her Carroll squad, coach Beers explained that she has a stable group of underclassmen returning but that they need to continue to work hard in order to have the opportunity to play at the next level.
“This team has come very far and we accomplished a lot to get to this point and they should be commended for that, but a lot of times effort is not enough, there has to be an outcome. It isn’t enough to get through the PCL (Philadelphia Catholic League) and come to this game and not be able to compete,” said Beers. “Today’s outcome was a loss, and we have to own that and figure it out for next year. There was only one senior on the field playing today that we are losing, so the other girls on that field are coming back.”
For Conestoga, their season too is slowly coming to a close. Senior and University of Cincinnati commit, Monica Borzillo, offered a little advice to her returning teammates for next season.
“Never forget why you chose to play the game,” said Borzillo, who is also cousins with head coach Orcutt. “You want to put your whole heart on the field and leave with the utmost respect.”
Carroll Stats:
Anna Murphy 2 goals
Katie Detweiler 2 goals 2 assists
Sam Swart 1 goal
Meghan Matey 1 goal
Rachel Matey 1 goal
Grace Gallagher 1 goal
Sydney D'Orsogna 1 goal
Maddie Ferraioli had 4 saves
Conestoga Stats:
Sondra Dickey 8 goals
Monica Borzillo 3 goals 7 assists
Paige Loose 3 goals
Maggie Gladden 1 goal
Jules Horning had 10 saves