HUGHESVILLE - It started two seasons ago when an unexpected run through the PIAA playoffs ended with a state championship.
The postseason magic continued into the next season when another dominant run to the PIAA championships netted Warrior Run its second title in as many seasons.
With hopes just as high, the Defenders opened their second postseason of atitle defense. But this time it was as a AA representative, not the Class A field Warrior Run has enjoyed some much success against.
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MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette
Warrior Run goal keeper Olivia George, left, watches as the ball slips past her for a goal in the first half against Danville during a District 4 Class AA?quarterfinal on Saturday at Hughesville. Danville beat Warrior Run, 2-0. View additional photos at cu.sungazette.com
The bump up into the AA field presented a challenging first-round opponent in No. 6 Danville, a team Warrior Run defeated in overtime in the regular season. The Ironmen, though, executed a flawless game, held standout Taylor Landis without a shot and shocked the AA field with a 2-0 win over Warrior Run at Raymond H. Perritt Stadium at Hughesville.
"We had to change a couple things up from the last time we played them," Danville coach Tom Craig said. "We filmed that game and I watched it for two days. They are a very tough team to find a weakness against. It was just two tough teams going against each other."
The difference in the game, which featured two evenlymatched teams, was Danville's keeper, Hanna Harris, who stopped all six Warrior Run attempts and prevented damage on corners by jumping into traffic.
"She was on her game tonight," Craig said. "She really did a nice job. A couple times it looked like a goal was going in, but the second efforts saved them."
"They had an awsome keeper," Warrior run coach Jen Allen said. "She made a lot of great saves."
Harris survived a flurry of shots in the second half. But, unlike the first half when Harris was protecting a 1-0 lead, the Danville offense provided an extra cushion when Siobhan Bross scored on a long shot into the upper corner of the near post.
"When we got that second goal I was so relieved," Harris said.
Kylie Gorki gave the Iromen a 1-0 lead when she connected on a direct kick that bounced in front of the net. Gorki was in the right place at the right time when the ball bounced in front of her for the go-ahead goal.
"We told the team at halftime it was just one-goal," Allen said. "We kept their keeper on her toes, she did a lot of work in the second half."
No. 6 Danville 2, No. 3 Warrior Run 0
D-Kylie Gorki (unassisted), 29:19; D-Siobhan Bross (unassisted), 43:26.
Shots: D 20 WR 11. Shots on goal: D 8 WR 6. Corners: D 2 WR 6. Saves: D (Hanna Harris) 6, WR (Olivia George/McKenna Beyer) 6. Fouls: D 16 WR 14.
Next: Danville D4 AA playoffs TBA.
