PIAA Soccer Playoff Preview Capsule
What: Class A first round
Who: 4-1 Warrior Run Defenders (19-1-2) vs. 11-1 Pine Grove Cardinals (21-2)
When, where: Today, 5 p.m., Balls Mills Soccer Complex, Williamsport
About the Defenders
Head coach: Jen Allen (7th season)
How got here: Beat South Williamsport 7-0 in District 4 championship game
Previous PIAA playoff appearances (since 2010): 2010, 2011, 2014
Last PIAA playoff appearance: Lost to eventual Class A state champ Trinity 1-0 (3-2 on penalty kicks) in last year’s state semifinals
Season totals: Offense — 58 goals scored, 2.6 per game; Defense — 8 goals allowed, .36 per game, 13 shutouts
Probable starting lineup: Madi Welliver (jr., GK, 75 saves, 12 shutouts), Gabby Heiss (jr., D), McKenna Beyer (sr., D, 4 assists), Latricia Yocum (soph., D), Rachel Grow (sr., M, 4 assists), Rylie Urbanski (jr., M, 7 goals), Madi McConnell (sr., M), Jane James (soph., M), Maddie Beyer (jr., M, 7 goals), Erika Landis (sr., F, 16 goals, 8 assists), Olivia George (sr., F, 11 goals, 4 assists)
About the Cardinals
Head coach: Jason Brown (7th season)
How got here: Beat Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg 4-1 in District 11 championship game
Previous PIAA playoff appearances: 2014
Last PIAA playoff appearance: Lost to Tulpehocken 2-1 in first round last year
Season totals: Offense — 135 goals scored, 5.9 per game; Defense — 15 goals allowed, 12 shutouts, .65 per game
Probable starting lineup: Jennifer Kaufman (jr., GK, 54 saves, 15 goals allowed, 12 shutouts), Maddie Frew (jr., D, 1 assist), Carlee Conrad (sr., D, 1 goal), Caitlin Seiverling (fr., D, 5 goals, 7 assists), Faith Shiffer (jr., D, 1 goal, 6 assists), Cierra Geiger (jr., D, 3 goals, 3 assists), Mackenzie Lesh (sr., M, 15 goals, 13 assists), Steph Aungst (jr., M, 25 goals, 18 assists), Mackenzie Hasenauer (jr., M, 5 goals, 8 assists), Adrianna Tennis (jr., M, 7 goals, 9 assists), Mariah Lesh (soph., F, 23 goals, 13 assists), Rachel Edge (soph., F, 25 goals, 16 assists)
Notes
Landis had 4 goals and George a hat trick in Defenders’ district title victory over South Williamsport. Defenders led 3-0 at halftime. … Edge scored twice, including goal-ahead goal in 53rd minute, to break a 1-1 halftime tie during Cardinals’ district title win over Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg. Mackenzie Lesh and Aungst added second-half goals for the Cardinals. … Defenders didn’t allow a goal during the district playoffs, pitching shutouts over Hughesville (3-0), Southern Columbia (1-0 overtime) and Loyalsock (1-0). Defenders also haven’t allowed more than 1 goal in a game all season. … Defenders’ district championship was their second straight. Last district title prior to 2014 was in 1999. ... Defenders are 3-0 in overtime games this season. ... Only loss was to Lewisburg, 1-0 on Sept. 26. … Cardinals have outscored their opponents 18-6 during their five post season games (Schuylkill League Division I tiebreaker, two in Schuylkill League playoffs, two in District 11). … Cardinals only two losses were to Blue Mountain, 2-1 on Oct. 12 and 2-1 on Oct. 24 in Schuylkill League championship game. … Cardinals’ district title was second straight and third overall. … Edge has five postseason goals for Cardinals, while Aungst and Mariah Lesh have four apiece and Mackenzie Lesh three. Aungst also has four assists. … Defenders won back-to-back PIAA Class A titles in 2010 and 2011.
What’s next: Winner faces either 2-1 Lakeland or 3-2 York Catholic in quarterfinal round Saturday at site and time to be determined.
Directions to Balls Mills Soccer Complex: Take Pa. Route 54 north through Danville and get on Interstate 80 West. Follow I-80 until U.S. Route 15 North exit (Exit 210B) and follow Route 15 north through Williamsport. Then merge onto Lycoming Creek Road. Travel approximately 2.5 miles and field will be on the left. Closest Google Maps address is 2849 Lycoming Creek Road, Williamsport, Pa., 17701.
— Compiled by Mike Carnahan