Quick-Draw Zavacky, a freshman, had a great night in the circle for the Panthers.
The 2017 Saucon Valley girls lacrosse team and their coach Jane Hoff, have gone where no SV girls’ lax program has gone before. Not only have they won their first District XI playoff game ever, but the Panthers did it in admirable fashion. Flashing a lot of hard work and skill, Saucon convincingly demonstrated their superiority against a very good Southern Lehigh program. As a reward for their efforts the Panthers got themselves a 12-8 victory and earned the right to compete for a District XI title.
In last night’s contest the Panthers gave up the opening goal to Lady Spartan Emily Donnelly only :24 seconds into the contest. Saucon’s Madison Stump answered for the Panthers with two goals at 20:51 and 19:48. The first was a backhand roller as she crossed the face of the crease. Stump’s second goal was off a free start where she was able to beat three defenders and finish to give her Panthers a lead. Southern Lehigh hit again, however at 16:51 to make it 2-2 courtesy of Lizzy Checkeye.
Madison Stump (16) hitting a backhand “Alabama Roller” for a goal.
Saucon Valley had enough. Cam Zavacky stepped-up taking the draws. Southern Lehigh couldn’t find an answer to the freshman’s dominance. Asked what her strategy was Zavacky said, “I wanted to either draw it to myself or push it to Katherine (Naiburg) or Brooke (Riefenstahl) so they could box out and get it off the circle.”
Southern Lehigh quickly took notice of Zavacky’s control and tried to curb her effectiveness. The Spartans rotated four different girls in to take the draw, but none could compete with Zavacky in the first half. “When a bunch of other (Spartan) girls came in, I wasn’t scared,” Zavacky said. “I just kept doing what I was doing. Brooke and Kat were helping a lot on the circle.”
The Panthers pouring it on and celebrating.
Dominating the possession and exhibiting patience, the Panther offense seemed very calculating in their shot selection. Saucon did not hurry their offense and did not force the shots. They moved the ball with poise until a good chance presented itself. More often than not, they capitalized.
Saucon Valley registered five goals in eight minutes by five different players. Zavacky, Naiburg and Riefenstahl fed the cause. As did Helen Kreschollek and Siobhan Coakley. With 7:58 remaining the Panthers scored five unanswered goals to build a 7-2 advantage. Spartan freshman, Taylor Moncman, was able to hit the last score of the half at 4:46 and cut the Saucon lead to 7-3.
Sophomore goal-keeper Audrey Holland stood tall between the pipes all not long.
Even though the score was relatively close the Panthers seemed to be in control of the game. Playing solid defense that seemed more up-tempo and “in-your-face”, nothing seemed easy for the Spartans.
The second half began with the momentum still favoring the Panthers. Senior “Mad-Dog” Stump fed the momentum further at 23:53 when she quickly changed direction, faked causing a helpless Spartan defender to crumple to the ground and finished by scoring her third goal of the evening.
Panther senior Madison Stump scored a total of four goals in the District XI semi final against Southern Lehigh.
Helen Kreschollek then scored back to back goals at 21:33 and 20:18 to extend the Panther lead. Kreschollek was in high-gear and struck fear into the Spartan defense when she barreled her way to the cage and finished strong.
The Panther run ended with what looked like a full-field defensive press against Southern Lehigh that caused a turnover. Kim Polefka intercepted a pass deep in Spartan territory and quickly moved the ball to Kreschollek who relayed it to Naiburg for the sudden finish in the back of the Spartan goal. With 19:11 remaining, the Panthers seemed to take total control with an 11-3 lead.
Sophomore Kat Naiburg came up big claiming possession off the draw and a couple of goals.
The Spartans, however, went four unanswered forcing the Panthers to call timeout at 7:57. Following the timeout at 5:59 the Spartans Emily Donnelly hit her third goal of the night and made things a little uneasy at 11-8.
Panther offensive patience, a tough defense and “Mad-Dog” Stump’s goal at 2:17 sealed the deal. Saucon Valley not only won their first District XI playoff game, but with a hearty roar, the Panthers advance to tomorrow’s championship game.
At crunch time the Panthers were able to keep possession of the ball.
Lady Panther Goal Scorers v. Southern Lehigh
- Sr. Maddie Stump (4)
- Jr. Helen Kreschollek (3)
- So. Katherine Naiburg (2)
- So. Siobhan Coakley (1)
- So. Brooke Riefenstahl (1)
- Fr. Camryn Zavacky (1)
Party Time for the Panthers immediately after a 12-8 victory over rival Southern Lehigh.
UP NEXT: The Saucon Valley girls’ lacrosse team will compete for a District XI title against Moravian Academy at Lehigh University’s Ulrich Sports Complex on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The Panthers and Lions split their regular season match-ups. With a dry night and game-time temperatures forecast in the low 70’s, it’ll be a great night to be a champion!
Good Luck Panthers, the Source is with you!
