The victory puts the Pioneers in a semifinal Tuesday against Council Rock North, the runner-up from District 1, which defeated Hempfield, 1-0, Saturday.
For Central Bucks East, it was another tough loss in the state playoffs. The Patriots reached at least the quarterfinals for the past five seasons before being eliminated. Last season, East lost to Hempfield in overtime in the championship game.
"I thought we were terrific, especially in the second half," Patriots coach Mike Gorni said. "It was tough not getting a goal. We had a lot of opportunities inside the 18. We just didn't get the right bounce.
"That's the way it goes sometimes. Credit Conestoga for some good counterattacks."
For Fox, it was his 15th shutout this year. He and his teammates have allowed the fewest goals (7) of any team in District 1 this season. They have scored 63, goals spread throughout the team.
Connors said the corner kick from junior Danny Gonzalez couldn't have been better placed.
"It came right to me," Connors said. "I didn't even have to hit at it. I just put my foot there, and it went in."
The 6-foot-4 Fox praised his defenders, Spencer Vogt, Andrew Gonzalez, Bryan Kozlowski, and Mike Ward.
"Without them, I'm not sure where we'd be," Fox said, acknowledging that his height gives him an advantage on high balls around the goal.
"I'm still trying to catch my breath. There was a lot of pressure today, especially in the last couple of minutes. I'm trying to control the box and take the ball out of the air."
In those closing minutes, Fox, who finished with seven stops, pulled two balls out of the air. He followed up one with a tremendous 65-yard kick downfield.
With 14 minutes to play, the Patriots (19-3-1), the third-place team from District 1, misfired on a corner kick. Just before halftime, junior forward Ben Marks was wide left with a shot.
Conestoga's district title this season was the first in the school's history. When they won the state title in 1988, the Pioneers finished third in the district and played their way to the championship game through the western half of the bracket.
Central Bucks East 0 0 – 0
Conestoga 1 0 – 1
Goal: C-Andrew Connors.
Saves: CBE-Jacob Nesteruk 5; C-Clarke Fox 6.
Contact staff writer Don Beideman at 267-815-0733 or dbeideman@phillynews.com.
