Fox Chapel girls can’t find key goal in PIAA quarterfinal loss to Lower Dauphin

By: Jeffrey Kauffman
Saturday, November 9, 2024 | 8:52 PM

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CHAMBERSBURG — Fox Chapel scored first and had the better of the scoring opportunities throughout the game but couldn’t find an equalizer as Lower Dauphin edged past the Foxes, 2-1, in a PIAA Class 3A girls soccer quarterfinal at Chambersburg High School.

Fox Chapel (19-5), the WPIAL runner-up, dropped a 4-0 decision to South Fayette in the district finals then defeated Hollidaysburg, 5-1, in the opening round of the PIAA Class 3A tournament.

Lower Dauphin (22-2) was coming off a 3-0 win the in District 3 finals and a rare forfeit victory in the PIAA first round.

Fox Chapel had the better of the play in the first 20 minutes but couldn’t find an opening behind Falcons goalkeeper Nahla Raab.

They finally broke through as Emily McKee found herself in the middle of the box uncovered and ripped a shot past Raab.

Paige Soloman, Antonio Linzoain, Sophie Thorne, McKee, Cassie Clausen and Bella Urso created problems with their ability to control the midfield, usually a Falcons strength.

“McKee is a force up front and we knew we needed to keep her in check,” said Falcons coach Nic Amici. “They are a very good team, and we were lucky early that they only had one goal. We just struggled to get our feet under us to start.”

Fox Chapel gave the goal back moments later after a foul was called when two defenders sandwiched Ashley Economopoulos in the box. Hannah Sansom finished the penalty kick to tie the score 1-1.

The goal seemed to energize the Falcons as they started to swarm to the ball and push the issue.

Economopoulos bagged a goal four minutes into the second half to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead.

“That was such a quick strike from Ashley — turned and left footed from a difficult angle,” Amici said.

McKee had another chance, but her shot glanced off the football crossbar at the 50-minute mark.

Lower Dauphin survived a keeper crash with Maddie Grimsley, who picked up a yellow card as she collided with the goalie while chasing a ball in the air.

The Foxes still had the better of play as they kept the ball in the Falcons end but couldn’t finish that last pass for the goal.

Frustration set in as the Foxes picked up two yellow and a red card in the final 20 minutes.

“There was definitely some frustration as we couldn’t finish and we had plenty of chances,” said Fox Chapel coach Carlo Prati. “We felt like we dominated the whole game and created chances, but we just didn’t finish them. Getting a couple of yellow cards and a red card didn’t help us.

“We have 10 seniors, and I told the underclassmen they saw what it took to get here and now it is their turn to step it up and get us back here. So proud of our kids and their effort. Just frustrating to end the season that way.”

Tags: Fox Chapel