Youth/High School Soccer
Conestoga come back to beat Springfield in Central League clash
After upsetting Strath Haven last week, Springfield Delco had their sights on Conestoga and were leading the Pioneers 1-0 when Lauren Grimes scored twice to give the visitors a 2-1 win in a Central Athletic League girls soccer match on Tuesday.
Mia Gutowski, who had a shot from long range hit the crossbar early in the first half, opened the scoring in the second half when she gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead on a well-hit left-footed strike after driving into Conestoga’s final third.
Though just a sophomore, Gutowski’s skill was on display throughout the afternoon contest on both sides of the ball but following the goal it was the senior Grimes who was able to unlock the Springfield defense. Her first goal came off a long ball from Maddie Fox she was able to head past the keeper off the bounce. The second was on a knuckling left-footed shot off a ball chipped in by Fox that was mishandled by the Springfield keeper.
Grimes had a couple more chances to complete the hat trick when she got in on goal but both resulted in saves. Junior midfielder Julia Rick also had some promising looks in the attack and on dead balls for a senior heavy Pioneers squad that is coming off back-to-back appearances in the PIAA Class 4A state final.
Despite losing back-to-back non-conference games against highly rated Abington Heights and Central Bucks East, Conestoga (6-1-0) still has just one loss in league play and is just behind Radnor (7-1-0) in the league standings. Springfield’s record is even at 7-7 overall and 4-4 in the Central. Lower Merion (4-1-1) and Marple Newtown (4-1-2) round out the top four in the league.
