The Fairfield girls soccer team is just one win away from advancing to the District 3-1A final for the sixth time in program history.
Reaching that point, however, will require beating a team that has been a thorn in the Knights’ side in recent years: Delone Catholic. The Squires have knocked off Fairfield in three of the last four meetings, and on Saturday morning, they will once again stand in the way of the Knights in a district semifinal game at Gettysburg.
We’ve selected this high-stakes matchup as our Game of the Week.
Delone is having a brilliant season powered by the sharp play of Dorothy Grim and Ella Staub — two players who have combined for 50 goals and 17 assists this fall — and enters Saturday’s contest fully expecting to win and advance to the district title game for the first time in school history.
Another dynamic duo that has combined to score 50 goals this season — Fairfield’s Gemma Phelan and Charlie Sweeney — will be doing everything in their power to push the Knights to the title game and pursue the program’s fourth district championship crown.
Game time is 11 a.m. Set your alarm clocks.
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 contests we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
District 3-1A girls soccer semifinals
Fairfield vs. Delone Catholic
Kickoff: Saturday, 11 a.m., at Gettysburg MS Stadium
Records: Delone Catholic is 14-3-1, while Fairfield checks in at 15-4
Last game: The No. 3-seeded Squires notched a 3-1 win over No. 6 Lancaster Mennonite, while the No. 2 Knights are coming off a 4-1 triumph over No. 7 High Point Baptist
Last meeting: Delone and Fairfield met twice in 2025, with the Squires prevailing by scores of 3-1 and 5-2.
What’s at stake: The winner advances to the district championship game and earns an automatic berth into the PIAA Championships. The loser drops to the third-place match, with a trip to states on the line.
Meet the Squires: It has been a dream season for Delone Catholic head coach Brady Slater, who was just appointed to the position in January … The Squires conquered SCAC Division III with a 12-1-1 record for their first division title in school history, outscoring their competition 84-22 along the way … Delone Catholic has lost just three games this season to Bermudian Springs, Dover, and New Oxford, three postseason squads who combine for a 39-7-7 record … The Squires, who own notable wins over Big Spring (12-5-1) and Dover, enter the playoffs on a three-game winning streak … This is Delone’s 10th program appearance at districts, a tournament where the Squires have a 3-9 all-time record … If the Squires can find a way to beat Fairfield, they will advance to the district title game for the first time in program history. Delone just missed this achievement last season, when it fell to York Catholic in the district semifinals … The Squires, who are averaging 4.42 goals per game and allowing 1.16, are led by junior midfielder/forward Dorothy Grim, who leads her team in both goals (28) and assists (11) … Junior forward Ella Staub (22 goals, 6 assists) has been a solid No. 2 scoring option for Delone, while Maria Donahue (9 goals, 3 assists) and Amelia Joyce (9, 7) have also been frequent flyers in the points department … Delone’s defense is anchored by sophomore goalkeeper Aja Acevedo.
Meet the Knights: Life on the pitch has been business as usual for Fairfield, which makes its 16th-straight appearance at the District 3 tourney … The Knights have been historically dominant in the district postseason, as they own three titles (2016, 2017, 2020) and an all-time record of 19-11 … A win over Delone Catholic on Saturday would send Fairfield to the championship game for the sixth time in program history … Coach Owen Phelan’s Knights have gotten to this point by pasting their opponents by a combined 61-16 score on the way to a runner-up finish in SCAC Division II … Fairfield has lost just four times this season, twice to Bermudian Springs and once each to New Oxford and South Western, three teams who have combined for a 34-11-7 record … The Knights have also beaten Kennard-Dale and New Oxford, and own another notable victory over Eastern York (9-6-3) … Fairfield, which is scoring 3.59 goals per game and allowing 0.94, is led by the 1-2 punch of super sophomores Gemma Phelan and Charlie Sweeney … Phelan, a midfielder, leads the LocalNews1.org coverage area in both goals (35) and assists (14), while forward Sweeney (15 goals, 13 assists) ranks No. 2 in both categories … Fairfield’s midfield is solidified by the presence of Abby DeLaurence, Layla Putt, and Molly Rawlings … The Knights’ defense is anchored by a back line that includes Aubrey Harlacher, Gracelynn McClain, Natalee Wolfe, and goalkeeper Reese Sweeney … Fairfield will be seeking its first win over Delone since 2024, when it defeated the Squires by a 2-1 score.
Sandrik’s pick: Knights by 1.
