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WRIGHT TWP. — Despite a stellar 16 saves from Crestwood goalkeeper Isabella Caporuscio, the shorthanded Comets couldn’t get by Villa Maria Academy, falling to the Hurricanes 4-0 in Tuesday night’s PIAA Class 2A tournament.

“We’ve said that with every game this year, we have a chance with her (Caporuscio) in the cage,” said Crestwood head coach Patsy Moratori after the game. “Having her back there changes the whole mentality of the game around.”

Caporuscio kept her team alive with a number of impressive saves all night, but the sweltering offensive pressure from Villa Maria was too much for Crestwood, especially without a number of key player in the lineup including star forward Gabby Ambosie.

“We’ve had some tough luck, our right back got injured right before this game and Gabby got hurt right before districts started,” Moratori said. “I think some young players stepped up…with what we’ve been dealing with, I thought they did a great job.”

Led by two goals from Lindsey Roberts, Villa Maria looked every bit like the top-seeded powerhouse they were coming out of District 1, even after a loss to Gwynedd Mercy in the district title game dropped the Hurricanes into the district’s runner-up spot.

Crestwood got through the first quarter without allowing a goal, but Villa Maria consistently kept the ball up in Crestwood’s end of the field, moving the ball from level to level and keeping the Comets defense busy right from the opening whistle.

It was Roberts who broke a scoreless tie in the second period, after the ball bounced around a couple different players and ended up on her stick. She snuck one past Caporuscio to give the Hurricanes a lead that they would never relinquish.

Villa Maria would tack on another goal before halftime courtesy of Brynna Hill, and Roberts would strike again less than two minutes after the second half got underway, darting into the circle from the left side and scoring unassisted.

“I didn’t really see anybody open so I just tried to pull the goalie and find an open spot,” Roberts said.

Villa Maria added an insurance goal in the fourth quarter from Caitlin Files, and despite a handful of late chances, the Comets were unable to crack the scoreboard before time ran out.

The Hurricanes will take on District 11 champion Southern Lehigh in the state quarterfinals on Saturday; Southern Lehigh kept their perfect season rolling with a win over Northern York on Monday.

Crestwood ended their season with an 18-3 record and a District 2 title to their credit.

For Moratori and her team, the result may not have been what they wanted, but a chance to go out on their own terms after a COVID-induced exit from last year’s tournament was just what they needed.

“This team was kind of playing for last year’s team as well as this year’s,” Moratori said. ”At least this year, we got a chance and we got to be here…I’m proud of our girls.”

PIAA CLASS 2A FIRST ROUND

Villa Maria 4, Crestwood 0

Villa Maria`0`2`1`1`— 4

Crestwood`0`0`0`0`— 0

Scoring – Second quarter: 1, VM Lindsey Roberts 13:44; 2. VM Brynna Hill 7:41. Third quarter: 3. VM Roberts 13:57. Fourth quarter: 4. VM Caitlin Files 2:57.

Shots: VM 19, CRE 2. Saves: VM 2 (Abbie Zarkoski), CRE 16 (Isabella Caporuscio). Penalty corners: VM 5, CRE 2.