Trinity boys soccer falls to Lancaster Catholic in District 3 Class 2A final, shifts focus to states
HARRISBURG — The Trinity boys soccer team had not reached a District 3 championship game since 2006. The Shamrocks were shut out that season and had to settle for silver.
Eighteen years later, the result was the same. Lancaster Catholic topped Trinity 2-0 in the Class 2A Championship tilt Saturday at Landis Field at Speed Ebersole Stadium.
The victory secured Lancaster Catholic's first district title and Crusaders' head coach Bryan Fossi's 100th career victory.
Trinity will face Juniata, the top seed from District 6, on Tuesday in the first round of the PIAA state tournament.
"We have to stay positive for one," Trinity head coach Dan Gustafson said. "This is something where we have to go back to the practice field and regroup. We have a great opportunity."
In the 23rd minute, Lancaster Catholic's Stephen Scott showcased his speed, splitting multiple defenders down the heart of the pitch between the hash marks. Trinity keeper Kieran Finegan retreated quickly, but with the angle, Scott fired low and inside the right post to give the Crusaders the 1-0 advantage.
"They had some speed up top that we were struggling to deal with in a good way," Gustafson said. "There were moments where (Scott) had some really good runs, and the ball was played right where he needed it."
Trinity came out in the second half organized and more aggressive, garnering three corners and two throw-ins deep in its offensive end in the first ten minutes. But the Crusaders' back line and goalie Logan Kratz maintained a clean sheet.
"We did change our formation to match up a little better," Gustafson said. "Our guys started winning some of those 50-50 battles. We also had the wind at our back, which was helpful."
The Shamrocks couldn't find the equalizer, which proved pivotal as Lancaster Catholic (17-3-1) utilized a solid counterattack to generate numerous chances of its own.
In the 53rd minute, Gianlucka Barboza was pulled down by a Trinity defender after losing control of the ball, prompting a whistle and a free kick from 33 yards out. Off the restart, Luca D'Orazio perfectly placed the pass over Paul Gunther's leap to Scott, who headed the ball in the gap between the post and Finegan's reach.
The insurance goal changed the complexion of the match, as Trinity (12-7-2) needed multiple scores. As the minutes ticked down, the Shamrocks' desperation grew exponentially, but Lancaster Catholic held them scoreless, recording its 12th shutout of the season.
"Hats off to them," Gustafson said. "They played a great game. They had a great game plan, and their guys were ready."
Lancaster Catholic outshot Trinity 9-7, but the Shamrocks generated seven corners to the Crusaders' two.
After the game, the Trinity coaching staff reminded its players of what happened to their rival in a similar situation last year. They hope history repeats itself.
"We talked about what Camp Hill did last year," Gustafson said. "They lost 5-1 to Fleetwood and then came back and won states. So we're never out of it. Every game is going to be a battle, and every team is going to be great. We know that. We need to make sure we bring our best."
