The junior made a diagonal run, received a pass from senior Erica Mikula, dribbled to her left, and navigated past the Neshaminy goalkeeper to get an open net.
Midway through the second half, her wonder-goal attempt from near the right sideline clanged off the crossbar. McDowell said she was attempting to put the cross into the box, where some teammates were waiting.
"If it was going on net, I'll take it," she said.
Her near shot missed in the opening minutes of the half, and earlier, McDowell mustered a shot from a sharp angle, but the offering rattled the post and was sent out of bounds.
"You know soccer, you've been around soccer, those missed opportunities come back to haunt you," Oberholtzer said.
Neshaminy coach Rachel Clemens said she was pleased with how her back four played defensively, along with the play of goalkeeper McKenna Mullin.
Late in the first half, Mullin made a leaping save over an attacker and cradled the ball before being knocked over for a penalty.
In the second half, she went to her right to slap away a shot in a one-on-one opportunity.
After her team fell behind, Clemens made adjustments in hopes of generating offense. Although the Redskins didn't score, Clemens said she saw positives.
"I think we need to build off that we can compete with a Council Rock South," Clemens said. "We need to gain confidence from knowing we can play at the same level as them."
Neshaminy 0 0 – 0
Council Rock South 0 1 – 1
Goal: Paige McDowell.
Saves: N-McKenna Mullin 13; CRS-Lola Buonomo 10.
Contact staff writer Matt Breen at mbreen@phillynews.com or @matt_breen on Twitter.
