Montrose, Mt. View set for district finals

Although Montrose earned the victory both times over Mountain View in their league matchups, the District playoffs found the foes in separate classes and each marching its way to the District Finals.
After receiving a first round bye the Lady Meteors began their run to the championship with a 4-1 victory over Holy Redeemer. Madison Gihool had a hat trick, including the 100th goal of her career and Breann Spence added a goal to pace Montrose.
The victory set up a rematch with Dunmore, who dispatched Montrose in the previous year’s playoffs. The Lady Meteors were able to slay the Lady Bucks 2-0 behind two goals from Gilhool and a Spence assist. The defense led by Spence, Gabby Davis, and Harper Andre stifled Dunmore’s leading scorer Gillian Coar Dunmore’s only real scoring opportunity came on a direct kick that sailed well over the goal, and Coar was never allowed a clean look the rest of the day. Montrose Goalie Katie Puterbaugh went untested the entire afternoon, recording no save opportunities.
The victory sets up a championship game on Halloween versus Lake Lehman and its black turf field. Lehman earned its way to championship with victories over Meyers (10-0) and Berwick 2-0.
Controlling Lehman’s passing game and establishing its presence in the midfield will be keys to victory for the Lady Meteors.
“We need to pressure the ball early and often,” said Montrose ‘Coach Jenton Esworthy. “We have to disrupt their passing flow on the ball and counter on mistakes.”
“We have to play strong in the midfield and work hard all the time,” added Spence. “Communication will be huge.”
Mountain View secured its trip to the finals and third matchup with the Lady Chiefs of Lakeland with a 5-1 victory over Holy Cross. Lucy Adams had a hat trick to pace the Lady Eagles. Ericka Freely had two goals and Sam Jones had two assists to help the cause.
The teams were tied at halftime 1-1, then Adams broke the scoring drought with an unassisted goal at the 48-minute mark. Twenty minutes later Marissa Ostir found Adams going to the net and began a 3-goal spree over the final 12 minutes to secure the victory for Mountain View.
They will face the Lady Chiefs tonight at 5pm at Lakeland High School. Lakeland garnered a pair of victories against the Eagles on their way to a Lackawanna League championship, 2-0 and 5-2.
Limiting Lakeland’s chances and not getting into a shoot out will be the key for Mountain View’s chances of staging an upset.
“We need to keep the game, a low scoring game,” said Mountain View Coach Todd Calabro. “Lakeland has all stars at forward, midfield, and backline. They are solid all the way around. “