SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Kelsey Sisko’s return to the Schuylkill Haven lineup was an impressive one.
The senior standout tallied two goals and an assist Thursday as the Hurricanes cruised past Tri-Valley 5-0 in a District 11 Class A girls’ soccer quarterfinal at Rotary Field.
Sisko, who moved into the No. 2 spot on the Schuylkill League career scoring list with her two goals, had missed the Hurricanes’ two Schuylkill League playoff games with a hamstring injury.
Her play helped the defending district champion Hurricanes (16-5) advance to Monday’s semifinals against Moravian Academy, which defeated Williams Valley 5-1.
“It was hard sitting out, being my senior year, watching everyone play in the Schuylkill League (playoffs).
It was my last time and I didn’t get to play,” Sisko said. “Coming back, being with my girls, my senior girls, and the whole team, it was awesome. I’m excited.”
Sisko made her presence felt almost immediately, blasting a shot at Tri-Valley keeper Megan Boyer just 1:35 into the game. She scored less than three minutes later on a header off a throw-in by Keegan White to give Schuylkill Haven a 1-0 lead.
“I saw her on the outside ... I was at the top of the box, ran in and hit it,” Sisko said of her first goal. “It felt really good to come in and score after being injured. It was an awesome feeling. It felt like I picked up right where I left off.”
The Hurricanes took control of the game with a three-goal flurry in the final 7:52 of the first half.
Freshman Alyssa Emerich put Haven up 2-0 by burying a crossing pass from the right wing by Sisko at 32:08, and Rileigh Evitts scored on a breakaway feed from White at 36:34 to make it 3-0.
Sisko’s second goal at 38:24 followed a long run by Evitts and gave Schuylkill Haven a 4-0 halftime lead.
White’s blast from 30 yards out in the 53rd minute set the final. White and Evitts each finished with a goal and two assists.
The Hurricanes defeated Tri-Valley (10-8-1) by similar scores of 5-0 and 5-1 in their two Schuylkill League Division II meetings earlier this season.
“We worked in practice on trying to get through balls through the defense so the defenders would turn their backs and face their goal,” Schuylkill Haven coach Gary Rada said. “That pass from Keegan to Rileigh was beautiful and split the defense.
“Emerich is a freshman, and she played a great game for us.”
Schuylkill Haven finished with a 13-5 advantage in shots on goal, with all of the Dawgs’ shots coming in the second half. Most of that was due to Haven’s dominance possessing the ball in the midfield and offensive end, but the Hurricanes’ defense of Alyssa Gerber, Sarah Donati, Emily Lehman and Jodie Mattern did an excellent job clearing the ball when challenged.
Tri-Valley’s best chance to score came when Haven goalie Genie Tucci made a diving stop on Taylor Header in the 64th minute.
“We worked on our defense for tonight. I wanted to compact them more,” Rada said. “We didn’t mark up and kept intact. They did everything I asked them to do.”
Game Summary
District 11 Girls’ SoccerClass A Quarterfinal At Rotary Field
Tri-Valley (10-8-1) 0 0 — 0 Sch. Haven (16-5) 4 1 — 5
SH —Sisko (White), 4:15
SH —Emerich (Sisko), 32:08
SH —Evitts (White), 36:34
SH —Sisko (Evitts), 38:24
SH —White (Evitts), 52:25
Shots on goal: Tri-Valley 5, Schuylkill Haven 13. Corner kicks: Tri-Valley 3, Schuylkill Haven 3. Saves: Tri-Valley (Boyer) 8, Schuylkill Haven (Tucci) 5.