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DALLAS TWP. — Lake-Lehman decided the safest course of action venturing into the unknown was to stay the course.
It worked out just enough Tuesday night in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer state first-round game.
Madison Brdaric scored what proved to be the game-winner about 10 minutes into the second half as the Black Knights edged Boiling Springs 2-1 at Dallas High School.
District 2 champion Lehman (21-0-1) plays in the quarterfinals on Saturday against D11 champion Northwestern Lehigh (20-2). D3 runner-up Boiling Springs ended its season at 16-5.
The Black Knights knew very little about Boiling Springs, but that didn’t matter.
“I was actually looking forward to it,” Lehman coach Kelly Adamshick said, “because the girls had nothing to worry about. They could just play their game and not focus on what this player is going to do or what that player is going to do.
“It was just a chance for us to go out and play a good soccer game. Obviously, it’s states and it’s going to be a challenging game and you hope for the best.”
Lehman did just that, although the two goals matched a season low that last happened in a 2-2 tie with Southern Columbia on Sept. 7.
Brdaric’s goal came with 31:27 left in the second half. Emily Smith started the scoring play with a pass to Abby Paczewski, who was just outside the penalty area. Paczewski slide a pass inside to Brdaric, who beat a defender through the right side and rolled in the game-winner to the far post.
Boiling Springs had a few chances in the latter part of the second half, but a direct kick sailed high and two other shots were wide right.
“Unfortunately, breaks didn’t go our way,” Boiling Springs coach Steve Brookens said. “That winning goal, I think we made a defensive mistake. We didn’t get it out and clear it.
“I’ve seen their scores and I don’t think they’ve scored two goals very often this year. One other time they tied somebody. They had a lot of double digit (games). I think we gave them a pretty good test.”
Lehman finally cracked the Boiling Springs defense with 8:34 left until halftime. Smith dribbled to the top of the penalty area before grounding a short pass to Brdaric. Brdaric fought off a defender and gave the ball back to Smith. Smith then sent it out to Chloe Weaver, who lined a 23-yard shot into the upper right corner.
The Bubblers tied it 1-1 just before halftime as Olivia Olson scored from short range off a pass from Kaitlynn Brumbaugh.
Dallas 1, Mechanicsburg 0
Scoreless through two overtimes, the Mountaineers prevailed 4-2 on penalty kicks to advance to the Class 3A state quarterfinals with a win at Lake-Lehman High School.
Jensen Meade had the shutout for Dallas and will now play Saturday against Archbishop Ryan.
Berwick 1, Athens 0
Emma Colone scored the game’s only goal as Berwick defeated D4 champion Athens in a Class 3A state first-round game.
Berwick will play D1 champion Villa Joseph Marie on Saturday.
PIAA CLASS 2A FIRST ROUND
Lake-Lehman 2, Boiling Springs 1
Boiling Springs`1`0 — 1
Lake-Lehman`1`1` — 2
First Half: 1. LL, Chloe Weaver (Emily Smith), 8:34; 2. BS, Olivia Olson (Kaitlynn Brumbaugh), 3:26; Second Half: 3. LL, Madison Brdaric (Abby Paczewski), 31:27.
Shots: BS 10, LL 16. Saves: BS 12 (Bekah Becker), LL 6 (Emma Stroud). Corners: BS 2, LL 2.
