Although Owen J. Roberts and Boyertown split their two regular-season games, the Wildcats finished first because Perkiomen Valley tied the Bears in their second meeting. Margusity figures that should give his team a high seed for the PIAA District 1 Class AAA playoffs, which begin Tuesday. To prepare for the district playoffs, the Wildcats will play nonleague games Friday and Saturday. On Friday, Margusity's squad will play at Strath Haven, ranked fourth in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer. The Wildcats will tackle Central Bucks West at 6 p.m. Saturday at home.
"The last three seasons, we lost in the second round of the district playoffs," Margusity said. "This year, we're aiming to go farther."
The Wildcats certainly have the incentive.
Confidence builder
West Chester East's 1-0 win Friday over No. 4 Strath Haven couldn't have come at a more important time, according to John Barry, the Vikings' first-year coach.
"It was a great confidence booster," said the coach, whose team (14-2) closes out the regular Ches-Mont League season Friday against always tough Downingtown East. The Vikings, ranked eighth by The Inquirer, were tied (10-1) with West Chester Henderson (ranked seventh) ) for the top spot in the league's National Division prior to Tuesday's game with Great Valley.
Freshman Kayce Pitt scored the goal in the win over Strath Haven.
"That was a very pleasant surprise," the coach said. "It was her third goal of the season. She's a pleasure to have on the team."
Midfielder Krista Smith and goalie Kathleen Brown also have been key contributors to the Vikings, ranked eighth by The Inquirer. Brown has 12 shutouts to her credit.
"Kathleen came up with some big saves against Strath Haven," Barry noted.
System succeeds
Council Rock North's sweep of season games over intradistrict rival Council Rock South was a long time in coming. Until this season, the Indians seniors had never beaten the Golden Hawks.
According to two of the seniors, the Indians' success this time can be attributed to first-year coach Larry Sullivan.
"He has meant so much to the team," said senior Sarah Scheidell, who plans to play field hockey for Temple next season. "He's directed us and built our confidence. It's been a huge change."
The change is the new system that Sullivan installed.
"This team has a lot of heart," senior goalie Helena Gemmell added. "Coach has put in his system and we have come together. He's a very good coach."
The Indians, ranked No. 2 by The Inquirer, got another big test Tuesday against a surging Neshaminy. The Redskins, who moved into the rankings at No. 10 this week, won the first meeting. But the Indians prevailed Tuesday, 3-1.
Contact staff writer Don Beideman at 267-815-0733 or dbeideman@phillynews.com.
