The varsity girls soccer team defeated Rustin 3-2 in the PIAA 3A state semi-final on November 12 at Norristown Area High School.
Goals scored by junior Katie Trout, sophomore Ava Hurwitz, and freshman Maddie Fanning contributed to their success.
“We were ready to come into this game, we were really excited, and we just used that motivation to come back and win,” Fanning said.
Rustin scored within the first ten minutes, putting the Panthers behind 1-0. In the 31st minute, Trout scored with a right-footed shot from outside the box, leveling the game.
“Coming [back] down one, it’s just like overcoming every challenge,” sophomore Carly Thase said.
In the 48th minute, a right-footed volley into the top right corner of the goal from Hurwitz gave the Panthers the lead. Rustin scored later, tying the game once again 2-2.
With four minutes remaining, Fanning found herself in perfect position to put the ball in the back of the net after a cross and multiple rebounds from Rustin’s defenders to give Haven a 3-2 lead.
At the final whistle, coaches celebrated from the sidelines, the Panther Pack student section roared, and the team piled onto freshman goalkeeper Alice Rieger, jumping and screaming.
“It feels so great to come back and beat this team on the field that we lost the District Championship [to] last year,” Thase said.
According to Thase, the team wrote down their goals at the start of the season.
“We all write down our goals, and on every single person’s paper it says ‘State Championship,’” she said.
The Panthers will travel to Eagle View Middle School in Mechanicsburg on Friday, November 15, at 1 p.m. to play against Lower Dauphin in the PIAA 3A state championship game.
Teachers and students are invited to the Brookhaven Road entrance to send off the team at 8:45 on Friday, November 15.
According to Assistant Principal Mr. Tom Mclaughlin, there will also be a watch party in the high school auditorium. It is first come first serve for any teacher willing to bring their class. Attendees should plan to be there by 12:50 p.m.
