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CLARKS SUMMIT — It might as well have been left up to chance.
No one likes to see a game come down to penalty kicks. Especially not Crestwood.
Crestwood’s campaign to reclaim its district championship came short in penalty kicks on Tuesday afternoon. The third-seeded Crestwood team fell to No. 2 Abington Heights 3-1 in PKs after tying 1-1 after 110 minutes of girls soccer.
Abington Heights advances to play Dallas in the District 2 Class 3A championship game on Thursday.
The Lackawanna Conference champions’ goalkeeper, Abby Steenback, made two saves on PKs, stopping Vanessa Atie and Allie Stover’s shots to send the Comets into the final after missing out last season.
“They definitely worked hard,” Crestwood coach Russ Kile said. “It’s tough to see the game go to penalty kicks. Both teams did a really good job today. But Abington came out on top and I wish them the best of luck.”
On Halloween, Crestwood came back from the dead after playing lethargically for the first 17 minutes of the second half. Trailing by one, Vanessa Atie turned on a counter attack started by Taylor Tomalinas. Atie ripped a shot from the center of the box to even the score.
Just seconds prior to Atie’s goal, Crestwood keeper Courtney Dushanko made a stabbing save on a Riley Mulherin scorcher that set up the counter.
“Courtney did really well,” Atie said. “Ultimately, I think PKs are unfortunate. They’re tough and she did the best she could do.”
With her endless energy, Atie nearly won the game in the 107th minute when she found the upper-left corner of goal on a 40-yard direct kick. Unfortunately, Steenback swatted it away to preserve penalty kicks.
“Everyone really pushed each other and fought strong and won their personal battles (in the comeback),” Atie said. “We really did well as a team and came together.”
Abington Heights went ahead in the 10th minute when Emily Mahoney connected on a cross to Hannah Kowalski for goal.
Crestwood’s Sam Brumagin had an equalizer called back in the 17th minute on an offside violation.
The Comets struggled to find offensive rhythm without its leading scorer Melissa Herrera. She was out due to a minor ankle injury suffered in their first-round match. Herrera finished second in the WVC in scoring.
“We just tried to stick to our game plan, which is more of a possession type of soccer,” said Kile.
Bella Termini scored on her attempt in PKs. Abington Heights’ Kowalski, Abby Brown and Paige Morgan each were successful on their shots.
Crestwood lost on a PK in overtime last season to Northern York in the first round of states.
Dallas 7, Wyoming Valley West 2
In the other Class 3A semifinal, Ali Francis figured in on five Mountaineers goals, scoring four and adding an assist to put Dallas into Thursday’s championship.
Holly Holthaus finished with two goals and two assists for second-seeded Mounts. Kennadi Josefowicz had both goals for the No. 6 Spartans.
District 2 Class 3A semifinals
Abington Heights 2, Crestwood 1, 3-1 PKs
Crestwood`0`1`0`0`1` — 1
Abington Heights`1`0`0`0`3` — 2
First half — 1. AH Hannah Kowalski (Emily Mahoney), 10th minute. Second half — 2. CRE Vanessa Atie (Taylor Tomalinas), 57th. Overtime — No scoring.
Penalty Kicks — AH 3 (Kelly Seechock, high; Kowalski, goal; Abby Brown, goal; Paige Morgan, goal); CRE 1 (Vatie, saved; Bella Termini, goal; Chyanne Cook, wide; Allie Stover, saved)
Shots — CRE 12; AH 16. Saves — CRE 7 (Cortney Dushanko); AH 4 (Abbey Steenback). Corner kicks — CRE 4; AH 6.
Dallas 7, Wyoming Valley West 2
Valley West`1`1`—`2
Dallas`5`2`—`7
First half — 1. DAL, Holly Holthaus (Sam Mazula) 26:42; 2. WVW, Kennadi Josefowicz, 33:57; 3. DAL, Ali Francis (Mazula), 28:47; 4. DAL, Francis (Holthaus), 14:49; 5. DAL, Francis (Holthaus), 13:02; 6. DAL, Holthaus (Mazula); 0:29. Second half — 7. DAL, Francis (Sarah Krokos) 32:28; 8. DAL, Gabriella Ramirez (Francis), 28:37; 9. WVW, Josefowicz, 22:16.
Shots — WVW 8; DAL 31. Saves — WVW 14 (Emma Grimes); DAL 7 (Rachel Nelligan). Corner kicks — WVW 0; DAL 6.