There’s no doubt it, the Chambersburg Trojans have a talented girls soccer team.
Paul Unruh’s squad has lit up the scoreboard with 14 goals in seven games but have only two wins to show for it. Whether it’s bad luck or complacency, Chambersburg has been snake-bitten when it comes to protecting leads.
The Trojans built a 3-1 lead over Cedar Cliff on Sept. 4, only for the Colts to rally for a 4-3 win. Chambersburg again amassed a 2-0 advantage over Altoona on Sept. 10, only to fall by a 4-3 score in double overtime. The Trojans, ranked No. 22 in the District 3-4A power rankings, will need all the confidence and big wins they can get if they hope to eventually qualify for the postseason.
Chambersburg has a golden opportunity to get back on track on Saturday, when it travels to face the Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils, leaders of the Mid-Penn Colonial Division. It will be a stiff test for the Trojans, as Jamie Coy’s one-loss Blue Devils bring a suffocating defense and a formidable offense to the table.
This game will go a long way in setting the stage for the remainder of the season, and for that reason we’ve selected it as our Game of the Week.
In the weeks and months to come throughout the high school sports season, we plan on spotlighting multiple teams and sports with our Game of the Week. Any big upcoming games we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
Chambersburg at Greencastle-Antrim
Kickoff: Saturday, 11:30 a.m., at Kaley Field
Records: Chambersburg is 2-3-2 (2-2-1 Commonwealth); Greencastle-Antrim is 5-1-1 (4-0-1 Colonial)
Last game: The Trojans held on for a 3-1 win over Carlisle, while the Blue Devils are coming off a 2-2 draw against Gettysburg.
Last meeting: Chambersburg topped Greencastle by a 4-2 score in last year’s matchup.
Meet the Trojans: For a two-win team, Chambersburg packs an awfully strong punch. The Trojans are averaging two goals per game, with firepower being provided by a balanced group that includes Malia Cramer (5 goals, assist), Kadence Decker (5 goals, 2 assists), Bree Paetow (3 goals, 1 assist), Lilah Upham (2 assists), Katy Weller (goal) and Kacey Wise (assist). But no matter how many goals Chambersburg scores, preserving that advantage has been a challenge, as the Trojans have lost two games that they’ve led by multiple goals. Chambersburg nearly fell into a similar trap against Carlisle after building a 2-0 lead on Thursday, but staved off a rally from the Herd thanks to the efforts center backs Moriah Martin and Weller, as well as goalkeeper Ashley Mitchell. The Trojans are fully capable of knocking off the high-flying Blue Devils, but they will need a spirited effort both up front and in the back row to knock out this Greencastle-Antrim side.
Meet the Blue Devils: Few teams in the Mid-Penn have been hotter than Greencastle-Antrim, a squad on a five-match points streak. Anchored by goalkeeper Lexi Nelson, the Blue Devils are built for defense and have recorded four shutouts in seven games. Just in case opponents aren’t feeling enough pressure to score against Greencastle-Antrim’s air-tight defense, the Blue Devils have an offensive star of their own in Braelyn Cordell to really turn the screws on foes. Going into the Gettysburg game, Cordell was among the scoring leaders in the Mid-Penn with nine goals and one assist. She is joined by a potent supporting cast that includes Cat Marchiano, Shaina Overcash, Riley Burns, Brooke Guthrie, Hailey Baker, Bailey Hurley and Maddie Kuhns, all players who have recorded at least one goal or assist. This game isn’t necessarily a “must win” for Greencastle-Antrim, but beating a higher-enrollment Chambersburg would not only give the Blue Devils plenty of Franklin County pride, but also a boost in the District 3-3A power rankings, where they currently rank fourth.
Sandrik’s pick: Blue Devils by 1.
