Henderson edges Conestoga in penalty shootout to win District 1 title

From a ball boy in the District 1 final the last time Henderson won it to a District 1 champion, Pat Sinnott was at the center of a mob of his teammates following a penalty shootout victory over Conestoga on Saturday night that kept alive a dream undefeated season for the Warriors.

“It’s really cool just the story of it all,” said Sinnott, whose older brother Peter Sinnott was part of the 2016 District 1 title team. “I traveled with them on the state trip so it’s definitely cool to be with the team and win it eight years later.”

Sinnott has been at the center of the midfield as one of the core players who have developed into one of the top teams in the state the past couple seasons with Chas Wilson at the helm. They started their season in 2023 with a loss at Conestoga but grew through adversity into a team that heads to the state tournament a perfect 22-0.

“I got emotional at the end myself and it’s not about me, it’s more about these guys,” said Wilson, a social studies teacher at the high school. “We have a picture of Will Kristoff, Ibhan Saha who graduated last year and Pat watching Henderson games when they were kids so for them to come full circle and have a senior season like this is really special.”

The district title was the eighth for Henderson but the first since the 2016 team, which included current Louisville City midfielder Aiden McFadden. The Warriors beat Conestoga that day 2-0 but lost on penalties to Elizabethtown in the semifinals while a Chris Donovan-led Conestoga went on to win the state title.

Henderson beat Conestoga earlier in the season for the Pioneers only other loss.

Junior goalkeeper Dylan Arrison was a big reason for that on Saturday night. He made several key saves in regulation and in overtime before giving his team the one save they needed in the shootout to win it.

“Before the game we watched a lot of film, we prepared properly and we got the job done today,” said Arrison, who also plays for Sporting Athletic’s MLS Next team.”Personally I love penalty shootouts because I can’t do any wrong. When you come up and save one there’s no better feeling.”

Junior Jason Thankachan had the deciding kick, redeeming himself for a chance he missed just wide of the far post that would’ve ended the game earlier.

“I missed an opportunity to finish the game earlier so it feels great to have that redemption and to be able to make up for it,” Thankachan said. “We know Conestoga is always going to bring it, they’re always a good team but we felt we were better and needed to prove it and we did.”

Henderson will host Wilson in their state tournament opener at 7 p.m. on Tuesday while Conestoga will kick off against Warwick at home at 2 p.m.

Other District 1 4A schools in the tournament include Phoenixville, Great Valley, 2023 finalists CB South and Souderton. Full Bracket.