Girls

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Anybody know results from tonight's game(s)?

[BisonLine74]

SOMERSET - Greensburg Central Catholic started slowly Tuesday night during the first 15 minutes of a PIAA Class AA girls soccer playoff game.
But the team's fortunes turned during the next 25 minutes.

Greensburg Central Catholic, the WPIAL runner-up, scored four goals and coasted to an easy victory against District 5 champion Berlin Brothersvalley, 4-1, at Somerset High School. Greensburg Central Catholic (20-2-1) advances to play Fairview, which defeated Freeport, 6-3, on Saturday at a site and time to be determined. Berlin Brothersvalley ends the season at 18-3.

Greensburg Central Catholic was coming off a 1-0 loss to South Park in the WPIAL championship game.





"It was hard for the girls to get started," Greensburg Central Catholic coach Jim Hampton said. "Considering the heartbreaking loss, we played OK. We were still suffering from a WPIAL hangover. Once we got going and started scoring, it was reminiscent to last year. Darla's (Sebbens) goal got us going."

Meghan Farina scored twice, including a header off a corner kick by Jessica Szekely, and the Sebbens sisters, Darla and Rachel, added goals as the Lady Centurions erased an early 1-0 deficit. Berlin Brothersvalley scored first when Marie Buffy scored on a penalty kick after a Greensburg Central Catholic defender was called for a handball in the box with 26:22 left in the first half.

But Greensburg Central Catholic answered quickly and grabbed a 2-1 lead on goals by Darla Sebbens and Farina. Darla Sebbens' goal came when her shot from 30 yards sailed over the fingers of Berlin Brothersvalley goalkeeper Stephanie Werner with 22:15 left in the half.

Farina then gave Greensburg Central Catholic the lead for good when she chipped a shot over Werner with 17:19 left. "It was like we awoke a sleeping giant," Berlin Brothersvalley coach Rich Murray said. "They are tough in the middle, and once they started passing the ball, we were in awe."

Greensburg Central Catholic dominated the action and pressured Berlin Brothersvalley the entire first half. Farina's second goal with 2:32 left, and Rachel Sebbens' goal less than a minute later decided the outcome. GCC nearly had another goal, but a penalty kick by Szekely, who assisted on Rachel Sebbens' goal, hit the goal post with 10 seconds left.

"Berlin didn't give up," Hampton said. "The big lead gave us a chance to rest some people. Hopefully, we'll get healthy and focused for our next game."

In the second half, Greensburg Central Catholic worked on its defense and passing. Berlin Brothersvalley, which did not create a shot on goal until the 44th minute, posted five shots on goalkeeper Emily Myers.

The game was Berlin Brothersvalley's first PIAA appearance.

"We played a lot better in the second half," Murray said. "We've only had a team for seven years, and this is the first time a school other than Conemaugh Township or North Star has won the district title. It was a great season."