Youth/High School Soccer
Holy Ghost bounces back from PCL letdown, wins first district title since 2014
Holy Ghost soccer is back.
Despite a disappointing end to their inaugural season in the Philadelphia Catholic League in Monday’s final, the Firebirds are returning to the PIAA state tournament for the first time since 2019 and won their first district championship since 2014 with a 4-0 win over Science Leadership Academy on Thursday afternoon at Northeast High School.
“Bringing a trophy home for the soccer program, it’s been a long time so it’s exciting,” head coach Amanda Kirby said after Thursday’s win. “My assistant coaches Matt (Lingerman) and Hayden (Pratt) were both on the 2013 and 2014 state championship teams so bringing them back and having them part of this has been great.”
Playing as the favorite coming in, Ghost took some time to find their footing and had trouble getting the ball past the SLA goalkeeper but found a breakthrough midway through the first half from Joey Anderson on a second chance finish on a cross from Sean Fleming. Minutes later Blaise Paul served up a corner kick to the head of Vinny Danese to make it 2-0.
The two-goal lead was far from a comfortable cushion against an organized SLA side with a strong defensive spine, but the Firebirds were able to catch them pushing forward for a goal and Matthew Cole took advantage on the break to make it 3-0. Sean Fleming then again showed his craftiness with a low shot on the run that slide inside the far post.
“We definitely went through some mental battles the last few days after Monday’s game (a 3-0 loss to Father Judge),” Fleming said. “I don’t think we played our best today but we got the win and were able to execute.”
Ghost finished second to Judge in the regular season with an 8-1-3 record and are 11-5-4 overall.
They’ll next get ready for Blue Mountain in the first round of states next week, adding to an already successful season. The time and location will be announced on Sunday.
“I think we’re a good enough team to beat anyone in states,” said Fleming, a senior captain who makes up a dynamic attacking duo with junior Johnny Pawlowski, a fellow all-PCL first team performer.
Science Leadership Academy will also move on to states to take on District III champions Cocalico.
