MID-PENN GIRLS SOCCER TOURNAMENT
SEMIFINAL
Cumberland Valley (16-1-1) at Greencastle-Antrim (15-2)
Game info: Thursday, at Greencastle-Antrim, 7
What’s at stake: The winner advances to Saturday’s championship game. The loser is eliminated.
How they got here: Cumberland Valley posted a 14-1-1 division record to claim the Commonwealth Division crown. ... Greencastle-Antrim recorded an 11-1 division record to win the Colonial Division.
» Mid-Penn Conference bracket
Key players: Cumberland Valley -- Taylor Sneidman (23g, 9a), Savannah Hall (12g, 19a), Jen Falconer (15g, 9a), Lisa Nanov (7g, 10a), Dani Shambaugh (GK). Greencastle-Antrim -- Sharon Juarez (12g, 11a), Ali Rudy (8g, 2a), Alicia Crider (8g, 1a), Kayleigh Smith (GK).
Notes: Cumberland Valley -- Eagles have outscored their opponents by a 92-10 margin, including 11 shutouts ... Only blemishes on the season are a 1-1 draw with Red Land on Sept. 21 and a 3-2 loss to Cedar Cliff on Oct. 11. ... CV’s trademark win was a 3-2 victory over Peters Twp., the defending PIAA fall champion, on Sept. 29 when the Eagles overcame a 2-0 deficit for victory. ... CV is the defending Mid-Penn, District 3 and PIAA spring champion. Greencastle-Antrim -- Blue Devils have outscored opponents by a 69-23 margin. ... Only losses on the season were a 4-1 setback against Gettysburg on Sept. 5 and a 5-1 loss to Trinity on Oct. 6. ... Biggest wins were season sweeps of divisional opponents Waynesboro and Boiling Springs. ... Greencastle-Antrim has posted seven shutouts this season.
Breakdown: The good news for the Blue Devils is there’s no pressure because they are expected to lose by several goals. The bad news for Greencastle-Antrim is opponent Cumberland Valley. The Eagles bring to the table a razor-sharp offense that has seen 18 different players score goals this season and a defense anchored by a solid keeper in Dani Shambaugh. The Blue Devils have had a fine season and have a great record to show for it, but their schedule hasn’t been as strong as Cumberland Valley’s. Greencastle-Antrim’s only chance to win is if, first of all, it catches a lot of breaks and second of all, if leading scorer Sharon Juarez can find a way to sneak past the Eagles’ defense and get an open shot on goal. The thing is, Cumberland Valley is such a dominant team that the Blue Devils may not even have a shot on goal. If Greencastle-Antrim can stay within three goals of Cumberland Valley, consider it a small victory for the Blue Devils.
Cumberland Valley coach’s comments: Seth Lehman said, “I don’t know anything about them, but we approach every team as just another team. We try to focus on what we can do and now who we’re playing. I put a lot of stock into the Mid-Penn Tournament. (Winning Mid-Penns) was one of our goals at the beginning of the season.”
Greencastle coach’s comments: Greg Cole said, “We’re going to have fun. It’s a film game and we’re going to use this as a training tool. We’re almost honored to be playing a team of that caliber. I’m looking forward to the Mid-Penn game. It’s a great opportunity.”
Prediction: Cumberland Valley 5, Greencastle-Antrim 0.