Strong finish lifts Gateway girls into WPIAL playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 19, 2018 | 7:33 PM

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The Gateway girls soccer team proved to be clutch down the season’s home stretch.

The Gators won three of their final four section games, including a critical victory Oct. 15 at Franklin Regional, to clinch a WPIAL Class 3A playoff berth.

After sitting out last year’s postseason, the Gateway girls were determined to jump back into the playoff picture this year.

“I am super proud of this team,” coach Kelly Bender said. “We went from not even winning a section game last year to clinching a playoff spot this year. This is a team that doesn’t give up and maintains a positive attitude and strong work ethic.”

The Gators earned the No. 15 seed and were scheduled to play No. 2 Oakland Catholic on Saturday, after deadline for this edition.

Gateway defeated Knoch, 1-0, Armstrong, 7-0, and Franklin Regional, 3-1, and lost to Hampton, 4-0, in its final four section games, before dropping a 2-1 nonsection decision to Class 4A Connellsville.

Seniors Jenna Guido and Olivia Wood and junior Becca Kubler netted goals for the Gators in the section- finale at Franklin Regional.

Gateway ended up fourth in Section 1 with a 5-7-2 record, behind Mars (14-0), Hampton (11-3) and Kiski Area (11-3).

“We have a super tough section,” Bender said, “but have held our own with most of the teams. We’re happy to be able to come out of the section in the top four.”

The Gators, behind junior goalkeeper Maddy Neundorfer, allowed one or no goals 12 times this year, including five shutouts. Gateway had scoreless ties with Franklin Regional and Indiana.

Neundorfer, who was an all-section selection in 2017, is flanked on defense by juniors Brie Key and Eden Batt, senior Grace Hansmann and freshman Anna Reynolds.

Offensive catalysts at the forward/midfield positions consist of Guido, Wood, Kubler, junior Maura Ryan, freshman Addy Green and junior Miranda Pioth. Another leading player, junior Liz Richman, tore her ACL earlier this season.

Wood (seven), also an all-section selection last year, Kubler (seven) and Guido (five) are the team’s leading goal scorers.

“Coming off last season, which was clearly a rebuilding season, I feel like we’ve really improved,” Guido said. “We competed in our very difficult section and put up a fight every game.”

Despite having only a handful of seniors on the roster, Bender believes this year’s squad is strong in the leadership category.

“Our team is solid across the board and is full of leadership, both in play and words,” Bender said. “Maddy Neundorfer, our goalkeeper, is a big part of our success. She has had a great season. She is smart, fearless and commands the field. In addition to Maddy, our defense has kept us in games and has kept the scores close for the most part.

“Jenna Guido and Addy Green have helped us connect in the midfield. Their distribution and aerial game have helped us keep control. And Olivia Wood and Becca Kubler have proven themselves to be scoring threats up top.”

Guido said the outstanding teamwork displayed by the girls has been instrumental in the Gators’ turnaround this season.

“One word to describe this team would be ‘unity,’ ” Guido said. “All of us get along and play as a team. We have a team mindset, which is by far one of our greatest strengths.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Gateway