×

Just having fun has led to Dragons’ run

KATELYN HIBBARD/Sun-Gazette Allie Reed, left, and Lewisburg are playing in the program’s first state championship game this morning.

Two weeks ago, Lewisburg coach Jose Vega was asked about expectations as the state tournament approached after losing in the District 4 Class AA championship game.

The Green Dragons had just lost to Midd-West in overtime, 2-1, and finished as district runners-up for the third time in the past five years. While that loss no doubt stung, the team knew there was still another day to play soccer. The season wasn’t over yet.

So as he stood on the track surrounding the field at Selinsgrove, Vega said that his expectations were pretty simple ones going into the PIAA Class AA touranment: just have fun, enjoy the moment and whatever happens happens.

Not only is that the attitude that Lewisburg is playing with throughout this state tournament, but it’s paid off for the Green Dragons as well.

The Green Dragons are playing arguably their best soccer of the season so far and have clicked at the perfect time. It’s why Lewisburg is a win away from hoisting the program’s first state championship trophy as Lewisburg plays at 11 a.m. today against Bedford at Hersheypark Stadium.

“It’s been the attitude: just go out with nothing to lose. Go out, have fun and take it to the other team,” Vega said after a 1-0 win over Boiling Springs in the state semifinals on Tuesday at Hamburg. “If they’re going to beat you, make sure they have to work for it. Don’t give it up.”

And Lewisburg has made every team work for it in the second half of the season.

The Green Dragons had a rocky start to begin the year, going 4-7-1 and were in danger of possibly missing the postseason for the second consecutive season. But Lewisburg weathered that storm, and since the beginning of October, have gone 8-1-2 with that lone loss coming to Midd-West in the district championship.

Not to mention Lewisburg has posted three shutouts in the state tournament. As for having fun and playing with nothing to lose, it’s worked out big time for Lewisburg.

“I think it’s done everything for us,” Lewisburg junior defender Chloe Michaels said about just having fun. “Just to know no one really expected us to come this far, we just go into every game one by one and take it. Just have to go for it.

“We’ll go in with same mentality (to state final). There’s going to be a little bit of nerves. Going into a state championship? We’ve never been there before, so it may make us nervous, but I think we’ll be okay.”

The only thing standing in Lewisburg’s way of a state championship is District 5 champion Bedford.

Bedford’s offense has been playing well throughout the state tournament. Bedford defeated Hopewell, 4-2, in the first round, defeated Mercyhurst Prep in overtime, 2-1, in the quarterfinals and had to defeat South Park in penalty kicks (5-4) after being tied 2-2 after two overtime periods.

Bedford is in the state championship game one season after coming up shy in the state semifinals. And Bedford is looking to cap an undefeated season with a title, currently sitting at 21-0 after defeating South Park on Tuesday evening.

Bedford has a solid offense, led by senior midfielder Jenna Brown and defensively, is anchored by senior Bailey Donaldson.

Lewisburg has an offense that has multiple players who can step up and strike, including Ella Reish, Taryn Beers and Allie Reed to name a few. And from a defensive standpoint, Lewisburg has 13 shutouts this year and that’s a credit to Chloe Michaels, Sarah Ayers and Sarah Burns to name a few. Not to mention the excellent play this year from Lauren Gross, a sophomore who has stepped up in goal.

“She’s really stepped up this season. It’s hard to come in here and be a sophomore and play in goal with not as much experience as we’d want her to have, but she played absolutely amazing back there,” Michaels said after the state semifinal victory. “I’m so proud of her.”

Bedford has yet to lose a game and it has a balanced offense and defense. But none of that matters to Lewisburg. As the Green Dragons have done throughout this state run, they’re going to go out onto the field this morning at Hersheypark Stadium and play like they have nothing to lose and just have fun for 80 minutes.

After all, that strategy has worked through three state playoff games. Why change it now?

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today