Kendall Ferraro found herself in a rather unique position in the District 3 Class 2A Girls’ Soccer Championships on Saturday.
With 6:57 remaining in a scoreless contest against Lancaster Catholic at Landis Field in Harrisburg, the freshman center back for Trinity had the ball – and the game – at her feet. And she delivered, turning a free kick into the Shamrocks’ eighth district title.
An elated Ferraro said she was nervous before making the game-winning move, which sailed over Lancaster Catholic goalkeeper Clare Bolesky in the 73rd minute of a physical game.
“I knew if I did miss it, my team would have still put something in the back of the net,” Ferraro said as her teammates carried the trophy off the field.
“I’m just so proud of her!” junior Mia Scherr shouted over the celebration. “It’s her first year, and she plays defense – and to get that first goal to win the championship, I’m just so happy for her.”
Scherr had several quality chances to seal the game just minutes before the eventual winning shot, including one from point-blank range and another that skimmed the post.
“When we started building that momentum in the final 30 minutes, we were getting chances that just increased our confidence,” she said.
It was a back-and-forth match, with Lancaster Catholic navigating Trinity’s initial surge to find its own offensive groove. The Crusaders’ Harper Bolesky narrowly missed on a shot that sailed over the net early in the first half.
The defensive specialists were on display for both teams; Trinity fended off five corner kicks by the Crusaders, and Lancaster Catholic likewise turned away four by the ’Rocks.
In the second half, Lancaster Catholic’s Olivia Havrilla had a terrific chance on Trinity goalie Ashley Berkheimer, who strayed from the net to challenge the play. Berkheimer’s move gave the ball back to Havrilla with an open net before her, but she couldn’t capitalize.
Minutes later, after two unsuccessful corner kicks by the Crusaders, the ’Rocks went on an offensive spree that led to Ferraro’s eventual goal.
“We come into every single game like it’s our last,” Scherr said. “We’ve played that way all year. Every single game, we come in with the mindset that we’re playing for each other, we play as a team.”
Both teams won their first PIAA tournament games on Tuesday, with Trinity (16-4-1) outlasting Allentown Central Catholic 2-1 in penalty kicks and Lancaster Catholic (21-1) beating District 6’s Forest Hills 4-0.
(Photos by Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness.)
By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness
