Lape’s goal in 2OT lifts Lady Falcons to 1-0 win
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Connellsville’s Mary Kate Lape (4) dribbles the ball past Belle Vernon’s Kalin Lezama (15) and Kataira Rhodes (10) in the first half of Monday’s Section 2-AAA match at Belle Vernon. Lape scored in the final minute of the second overtime to lift the Lady Falcons to a 1-0 victory.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Belle Vernon goalkeeper Grace Henderson sprawls in front of the net to gain control of a shot during the first half of Monday’s Section 2-AAA match at Belle Vernon.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
The Lady Leopards’ Izzy Laurita spins away from Connellsville’s Arley Wilson (2) in the second half of Monday’s Section 2-AAA match at Belle Vernon.
Connellsville's Shelby Basinger and the Lady Leopards' Melayna Morgan chase after a loose ball in the second half of Monday's Section 2-AAA match at Belle Vernon.
Belle Vernon's Kataira Rhodes (10) protects the ball as Connellsville's Morgan Smouse defends during the first half of Monday's Section 2-AAA match at Belle Vernon.
Connellsville's Emma Tikey (12) looks to control the ball between Belle Vernon's Jillian Butchki (2) and Izzy Laurita (1) during the first half of Monday's Section 2-AAA match at Belle Vernon.
Belle Vernon's Kalin Lezama tugs on the shirt of Connellsville's Emma Crislip as Crislip pushes the ball through midfield in Monday's Section 2-AAA match at Belle Vernon.
The Lady Leopards' Kataira Rhodes controls the ball as Connellsville's Kayde Koballa defends during the first half of Monday's Section 2-AAA match at Belle Vernon.
The Lady Falcons’ Mary Kate Lape found the ball in a scramble in front of the net and managed to slip a shot past Belle Vernon goaltender Grace Henderson with 58 seconds left in the second overtime to lift Connellsville to a 1-0 Section 2-AAA road victory Monday night.
“Neveah Hamborsky took a free kick from 40 yards out. The ball hit (Henderson) and she couldn’t control it. There was a mad scramble in front of the net and Mary Kate put it in,” Connellsville coach Jeff Puskar said of the match’s only goal. “Once we went into overtime, we owned the first overtime. Belle Vernon had no (really good) shots.”
The Lady Falcons move into the second half of the section schedule with a 6-0 record, with a match to be made up against Albert Gallatin. Connellsville hosts Greensburg Salem on Wednesday night.
“We have six games left, Albert Gallatin twice, Trinity, Laurel Highlands, Greensburg Salem and Ringgold. We run the table, we can have a hiccup and still win the section,” said Puskar.
The Lady Leopards (9-2) remain in second place with a 7-2 record and travels to Albert Gallatin on Wednesday. Trinity trails by 1½ games at 4-2.
“We dug deep and kept our intensity throughout the whole game. We generated offense and played stellar defense. It was anybody’s game,” said Lovett. “I am so proud of how we played. We proved we can play with anyone.”
Belle Vernon stifled the Lady Falcons’ push in the offensive zone in the first half, and when Connellsville did break through, Belle Vernon goaltender Grace Henderson was there to stop any shot.
“Grace Henderson played a great game in the net,” praised Belle Vernon coach Tracy Lovett.
“The big difference was we came out flat and Belle Vernon came out firing,” said Puskar, whose squad shut out Belle Vernon, 5-0, at home. “They tried to play their offense at us. We were a little soft in the middle and we weren’t marking enough.
“But, we weathered the storm.”
Connellsville appeared to score midway through the second half, but Lape’s shot somehow avoided going into the net after the ball slipped by Henderson.
The Lady Falcons held the Belle Vernon offense in check for most of the match, including the Lady Leopards’ Izzy Laurita.
“Shelby was doing a good job there. She played light’s out. The back four played well,” said Puskar. “The game was pretty physical. We adjusted to it.
“The younger girls were left in the dust, but the older girls were used to it. They’re seasoned. They’re used to playing against Norwin and Penn-Trafford. They know what to expect.”