The Chambersburg and Central Dauphin girls soccer teams are set to meet on Saturday morning in quite an improbable District 3-4A quarterfinal matchup.
To be frank, neither team was expected to make it past the first round.
The No. 14 Trojans pulled off a stunner over previously-undefeated Northern York, the No. 3 seed. Central Dauphin, seeded No. 11, pulled off a similar upset over No. 6 South Western. Now these Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division rivals are set to meet again, this time with a berth into the PIAA tournament on the line, when Chambersburg invades Harrisburg to duel the Rams on Saturday.
We’ve selected this win-or-go-home matchup as our Game of the Week.
Although the Trojans have already beaten the Rams twice during the regular season, pressure for this contest will fall on the shoulders of Central Dauphin, which has been the top program in the district since 2020. The Rams won district titles in 2021 and 2023 and finished as runner-up in 2020 and 2022.
Don’t expect Chambersburg to buy into the CD mystique. The Trojans, who snapped a long playoff losing streak just to reach this game, will be seeking their sixth win in seven games.
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 or matches we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
Chambersburg at Central Dauphin
Tip-off: Saturday, 11 a.m., at Central Dauphin
Records: Chambersburg enters with a 9-6-1 record, while the Rams check in at 11-7
Last game: The No. 14 Trojans opened the District 3-4A tourney with a 1-0 upset over No. 3 Northern York. Central Dauphin, seeded No. 11, registered a 2-1 victory over No. 6 South Western.
Last meeting: Chambersburg and Central Dauphin last met in Commonwealth Division play on Oct. 9, with the Trojans coming away with a 1-0 win.
What’s at stake: The winner advances to the district semifinals and is guaranteed a spot at states, while the season is over for the loser.
Meet the Trojans: Coach Paul Unruh’s Trojans made a big splash in the first round of districts, when they handed Northern York its first loss of the season … The upset victory was Chambersburg’s first postseason win since 2007 and it snapped a seven-game playoff losing streak … The Trojans are now three wins away from snagging their first district title in program history … Chambersburg, a squad that is outscoring opponents 29-23 this season, is powered by a group of goal-scorers that includes Bree Paetow, Kadence Decker, and Malia Cramer, complemented by midfielders Zamira Jani, Mady Koons, and Lilah Upham … Goalkeeper Ashley Mitchell has had a quality season and she is supported on the back line by a standout defender in Katy Weller … The Trojans enter this contest having won five of their last six games.
Meet the Rams: After qualifying for the district postseason for the ninth-straight season, Central Dauphin promptly pulled off an opening-round upset over No. 6 South Western, a team that had lost just two games all season … Coach Chris Jones’ Rams will be pursuing their fourth district title in program history, and third since 2021 … CD has outscored opponents 32-25 this fall and is powered by a capable group of scorers, with senior Cameron Ofak leading the way … Ofak has posted 13 goals and three assists, and is complemented in the offense by Keira Flanagan (3 goals, 7 assists), Lea Carmona (4, 3), Lucy Fedullo (4, 2), and Madeline Long (4, 0) … Senior goalkeeper Riley Fisher has played every minute this season, registering 57 saves and allowing an average of 1.56 goals per game.
Sandrik’s pick: Chambersburg by 1
