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LEESPORT — Aleigha Rieppel leaned against the gate looking toward the field after the game as she talked with the media. No matter what question was asked, Rieppel had a constant smile on her face.
And who could blame her after she had a hand in all three of South Williamsport’s goals on Tuesday night and helped the Mounties snap a long state playoff drought.
Tuesday was South Williamsport’s first trip to the state playoffs since 2015, and the Mounties made sure to make the most of their appearance.
South Williamsport beat Brandywine Heights, 3-0, in the first round of the PIAA Class A playoffs at Schuylkill Valley as Rieppel had a goal and two assists. It’s the first state playoff win for the Mounties since 2007.
With the win, South Williamsport advances to the PIAA Class A quarterfinals on Saturday against either Moravian Academy or Lakeland at a site and time to be determined.
“It just means a lot because so many people have doubted us along the way, and they still are doubting us, so it means a lot for our heart,” Rieppel said.
Once Sophia Casella dished Rieppel a pass inside of the 18, Rieppel didn’t hesitate at all. She quickly fired a shot toward the left post past Brandywine Heights goalie Dana Wartzenluft.
The goal was huge for South Williamsport and put the Mounties up by three early in the second half en route to the victory.
“The second-half goal really sealed the deal for us, it made us focus more on passing,” Rieppel said. “It made us calm down, settle down and play the game that we can play.”
The Mounties (19-2) took a 2-0 lead over the Bullets (9-12) into the half.
Olivia Casella scored first when she was fed a pass from Rieppel. That’s when Casella got past Brandywine Heights’ goalie and was able to make contact on the ball. Casella — and everyone in attendance for that matter — watched as the ball slowly rolled toward the far right post as the Bullets’ nearest defender wasn’t able to clear it in time as it crossed the goal line.
“It’s very important for our team because we play better once we have a lead and it keeps our momentum going,” Rieppel said.
Brandywine Heights quickly tried countering after that early goal and had a shot on goal attempt just a few seconds later that was blocked by Laila Shams to preserve the lead and not let any momentum slip.
“Sometimes it helps (scoring early), but you saw what happened. The other team came back and Laila made an unbelievable save,” South Williamsport coach Marc Lovecchio said. “Sometimes there’s a little letdown. It’s big in some sense, but other sense it’s worse because it’s just one goal. I told girls at halftime we have to score another goal because this team is dangerous. They have some fast girls and skilled girls who were really giving us trouble.”
The Mounties played excellent after that near scare in limiting what Brandywine Heights did. The Bullets had three shots on goal in the entire game, but only one came in the second half.
That’s a combination of Piper Minier playing outstanding in the midfield, a backline not yielding anything offensively, and South possessing majority of the game and keeping the ball away from the Bullets’ forwards.
“Piper didn’t get any goals because she was amazing in the midfield. Controlling the ball, getting space, making passes. And Claudia (Green), she’s such a stud back there (on defense).”
“Our defense has been solid all year. We kind of depend on it,” Rieppel said. “It’s the backbone of our team and it’s great we always have them there to shut everyone down.”
McKaye Wilton put South Williamsport ahead 2-0 with 3:49 to play in the first half. Rieppel assisted on Wilton’s goal.
The Mounties held a narrow 4-2 shots on goal advantage through the first 40 minutes, but South Williamsport was able to possess and keep Brandywine Heights from getting too many looks. The Bullets weren’t able to get a shot off from inside of the 18 in the second half.
South Williamsport nearly put a third goal in before halftime when Rieppel fired a shot just inside the 18, only to see it go high and hit off the football crossbar.
South Williamsport 3, Brandywine Heights 0
(District 4 Class A playoffs)
SW-Olivia Casella (Aleigha Rieppel), 34:22. SW-McKaye Wilton (Rieppel corner), 3:49. SW-Rieppel (Sophia Casella), 29:24.
Shots: SW 7, BH 3. Corners: SW 3, BH 3. Saves: SW 1 (Laila Shams), BH 3 (Dana Wartzenluft).
Records: South Williamsport (19-2), Brandywine Heights (9-12). Next game: South Williamsport vs. Lakeland/Moravian Academy on Saturday, TBA.