In the state semifinals for the third straight year, the Sacred Heart Academy soccer team is eager to claim its first championship since winning three straight from 2007-09.
Third-year coach Jaclyn Puntillo knows talent alone won’t secure the title but does believe her team’s postseason experience could provide an advantage this week.
“Everything is so game-to-game, but we do have more experience at this point going into it,” Puntillo said. “Two years ago we had a group that primarily no one on that team had participated at this point of the tournament. … Last year we ran into an excellent Owensboro Catholic team and just weren’t able to find the goal.
“The difference in this team than past years is the experience factor. But I don’t know if that bodes well for the outcome.”
Puntillo and the No. 1-ranked Valkyries (20-4-1) will find out soon as they will face No. 24 Bethlehem (17-7-1) at 6 p.m. Thursday in a state semifinal at Paul Dunbar High School in Lexington, Ky. The event is filled with Catholic schools, as No. 3 Owensboro Catholic (24-2) will meet No. 8 Lexington Catholic (23-2-2) in the 8 p.m. semifinal.
Thursday’s winners will meet in Saturday’s 7 p.m. state final.
As has become tradition, Sacred Heart has prospered this season with a dominating defense. The Valkyries have allowed just seven goals all season and have matched a state record with 20 shutouts, including 10 in a row since a 2-1 loss to rival Assumption on Sept. 27.
Anchoring the defense are senior Claire Fell, who has committed to Villanova, and junior goalkeeper Sarah Stodghill.
“Claire is very passionate about the game and always wants to do her best,” Puntillo said. “At times she’s a little bit intense. But as she’s matured she’s gotten to the point where she uses that as a positive as opposed to something that makes her teammates afraid of her.”
The offense is led by four players who have scored at least 10 goals — senior Cat Fell (13), freshman Ashley Durik (11), sophomore Cassie Amshoff (11) and junior Sarah Buse (10).
“We don’t have a super-fast kid who’s going to go score a whole bunch of goals,” Puntillo said. “We have a lot of center midfielders, actually. … Everybody has the ability to shoot from distance and up close.”
While the focus is on Bethlehem, a potential matchup with Owensboro Catholic in Saturday’s final could provide some extra motivation for the Valkyries.
Owensboro Catholic beat Sacred Heart 1-0 in last year’s state semifinals and 2-1 on Aug. 29 of this season.
“We know if we secure a spot in the final it’s going to be excellent competition, whether it’s Owensboro Catholic … or Lexington Catholic,” Puntillo said. “But right now we’re simply worried about Bethlehem.”
GIRLS SOCCER STATE TOURNAMENT
* Where: Paul Dunbar High School, Lexington.
* Thursday’s semifinals: Bethlehem (17-7-1) vs. Sacred Heart (20-4-1), 6 p.m.; Lexington Catholic (23-2-2) vs. Owensboro Catholic (24-2), 8 p.m.
* Saturday’s final: 7 p.m.
* Tickets: $10, children 10 and under free.