Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

LA PLUME — Melissa Herrera couldn’t remember the last time she scored a hat trick, but her three goals tied the sophomore with Bella Termini for the team-lead and helped Crestwood defeat Abington Heights, 5-1, in the District 2 Class 3A girls soccer championship match Nov. 2 at Keystone College.

The win gives Crestwood its first District 2 title in girls soccer. The Comets were defeated by Coughlin, 2-1, in the 2004 championship match.

“Everyone worked so hard to get here,” Crestwood junior Vanessa Atie said. “I’m so proud and can’t wait for the next step.”

Crestwood (14-2) played with a lot of offensive aggression from the opening whistle, outshooting Abington Heights 7-2 in the first half.

Abington Heights, however, did have a chance for an early goal. Crestwood goalkeeper Cortney Dushanko stopped a shot from Abby Brown, targeted for the top corner of the net, in the 12th minute.

Atie had her first shot stopped, but deposited the next one into the net from 20 yards out, over the outstretched hands of Abington Heights goalkeeper Trish Caucci, to give Crestwood a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute.

“I was so excited when it happened,” Atie said. “I didn’t think it was going in, but as soon as it went off her fingertips I was so happy. We started off really fast, got to the momentum up and kept it up.”

Although Crestwood scored just one goal in the first 40 minutes, the tone was set for the remainder of the match.

Crestwood held a 2-0 advantage when Herrera dribbled into the middle of the field and fired a shot into the net from just outside the box in the 47th minute.

Abington Heights (14-2) cut its deficit back to one goal when Hannah Kowalski headed in a corner kick for her team-leading 17th goal, just one minute after Herrera’s tally.

“I’ve been trying to score off a corner all year and (Ashley Mulherin) played a great ball (in the box),” Kowalski said.

It didn’t take long for Crestwood to swing the momentum back in their favor when Sam Brumagin sent a hard shot across the turf past a diving Caucci and into the corner of the net in the 54th minute.

“We preached the concept all year that if we give up a goal, we have to get one back in the next two minutes,” Crestwood head coach Russ Kile said.

Even though it took a little over six minutes, Kile felt it was an important goal to convert given Abington Heights’ tenacity.

“Coach (Roger) Jacobs always puts together quality programs,” Kile said. “That team played hard until the last second.”

Brumagin nearly added another goal in the 75th minute, but her shot bounced off the goal post.

Herrera scored her last two goals in the final two minutes to seal Crestwood’s win.

“I took whatever shots I could,” she said. “(Abington Heights) was coming in hard, so we can to come in harder.”

District 2 Class 3A Championship

Crestwood 5, Abington Heights 1

Crestwood`1`4`—`5

Abington Heights`0`1`—`1

First half — 1. CRE, Vanessa Atie, 21:29. Second half — 2. CRE, Melissa Herrera, 33:34; 3. AH, Hannah Kowalski (Ashley Mulherin) 32:32; 4. CRE, Sam Brumagin, 26:27; 5. CRE, Herrera (Atie) 1:47; 6. CRE, Herrera, :09.

Shots — CRE 16, AH 6. Saves — CRE (Cortney Dushanko 3), AH 9 (Trish Caucci). Corner kicks — CRE 5, AH 6.

Crestwood captain Lexi Gaetano holds up the District 2 Class 3A girls soccer championship plaque after defeating Abington Heights 5-1 at Keystone College in La Plume on Thursday night.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Crestwood-AHgirlsSoccer_1.jpg.optimal.jpgCrestwood captain Lexi Gaetano holds up the District 2 Class 3A girls soccer championship plaque after defeating Abington Heights 5-1 at Keystone College in La Plume on Thursday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Crestwood’s Sam Brumagin, left, runs to hug teammate Melissa Herrera after scoring against Abington Heights in the District 2 Class 3A girls soccer championship at Keystone College in La Plume on Thursday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Crestwood-AHgirlsSoccer_3.jpg.optimal.jpgCrestwood’s Sam Brumagin, left, runs to hug teammate Melissa Herrera after scoring against Abington Heights in the District 2 Class 3A girls soccer championship at Keystone College in La Plume on Thursday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times LeaderBill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Crestwood’s Melissa Herrera, left, shoots for a score as Abington Heights’ Paige Morgan defends in the District 2 Class 3A girls soccer championship at Keystone College in La Plume on Thursday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Crestwood-AHgirlsSoccer_4.jpg.optimal.jpgCrestwood’s Melissa Herrera, left, shoots for a score as Abington Heights’ Paige Morgan defends in the District 2 Class 3A girls soccer championship at Keystone College in La Plume on Thursday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times LeaderBill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Crestwood’s Nina Atie, center, races down the sideline against Abington Heights in the District 2 Class 3A girls soccer championship at Keystone College in La Plume on Thursday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Crestwood-AHgirlsSoccer_5.jpg.optimal.jpgCrestwood’s Nina Atie, center, races down the sideline against Abington Heights in the District 2 Class 3A girls soccer championship at Keystone College in La Plume on Thursday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times LeaderBill Tarutis | For Times Leader

The District 2 Class 3A girls soccer champion Crestwood Lady Comets celebrate their win over Abington Heights at Keystone College in La Plume on Thursday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Crestwood-AHgirlsSoccer_2.jpg.optimal.jpgThe District 2 Class 3A girls soccer champion Crestwood Lady Comets celebrate their win over Abington Heights at Keystone College in La Plume on Thursday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times LeaderBill Tarutis | For Times Leader

By Robert Tomkavage

[email protected]

Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.