RAWLINGS — Calvary stormed past Heritage 4-1 in the Mason-Dixon Christian Conference semifinal Monday evening, punching its ticket to the championship game with an impressive offensive display and tight defensive effort.
The match saw Calvary dominate from the outset, outshooting Heritage, 21-10, with 16 of those efforts on target. Heritage managed nine shots on goal but struggled to break down Calvary’s disciplined back line.
“I’m so proud of the way the girls played tonight,” said Calvary head coach Scott Weeks. “It was a complete team effort — every goal we scored came from great communication, hustle and unselfish play. When we play as a unit like that, we’re tough to beat. This win is a testament to the incredible teamwork these girls showed tonight.”
The scoring opened at the 13:17 mark when Lauren Engle fired a shot off the Heritage goalkeeper, and Dana Baker was quick to react. Baker collected the rebound just inside the six-yard box and slotted it home for the early 1-0 lead.
Calvary doubled its advantage later in the half when goalkeeper Selah Livengood launched a booming punt downfield. Reagan Weeks controlled the ball with precision, dribbled into the left side of the 18-yard box and fired a shot past the keeper to give Calvary a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
The second half started much like the first — with Calvary pressing the attack. Just over three minutes in, at the 43:30 mark, Weeks delivered a pass to Engle. As the Heritage goalkeeper came out to challenge, Engle fired a shot from the right side of the penalty box to extend the lead to 3-0.
At 59:50, Calvary struck again. Engle sent a sharp cross into the center of the goal box where Dana Baker crashed the goal and buried the shot from just four yards out to notch her second goal of the match and put Calvary firmly in control, 4-0.
With the lead secure, Calvary began rotating players and adjusting its lineup.
At 60:10, Heritage’s Nadine Martz took advantage of a slick, wet ball from the right side of the penalty box, firing a shot from about 18 yards out that slipped through the hands of Calvary’s keeper, trimming the deficit to 4-1.
That would be the final score as Calvary held strong to close out the match and earn its spot in the MDCC championship game.
Calvary now sets its sights on Cumberland Valley, with the title match scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. at Greencastle High School in Greencastle, Pennsylvania.