GRAHAMSVILLE –— In a key league matchup, Tri-Valley’s girls soccer team got the best of John S. Burke Catholic, 5-3, on Tuesday, October 17. Tri-Valley’s Kendall McGregor, who was sidelined for a majority of the second half last Thursday, October 12, was a full go for the game. The senior being fully healthy was huge for the Lady Bears, as she contributed to three of the five goals for the home team - two goals and one assist. The senior forward started off the scoring as she was able to break away and find the back of the net seven minutes into the action. 

Burke was able to tie it up at one goal a piece as the teams fought for possession in the first half. It only took the Lady Bears a few seconds after the score was tied to take the lead back. It was a lead they would never surrender, as McGregor once again found the back of the net to make it 2-1. 

The refs were keeping time on the field, so there was no scoreboard time. But at about 33 minutes into the first half, McGregor set up her teammate Sophia Richardson for the score. Right before halftime, Jenna Carmody took a penalty shot and got it by Burke goalie Madeline Coley for the score to make it 4-1 Tri-Valley. On top of that score, Carmody also recorded three assists. 

Burke found the back of the net within a few minutes into the second half to make it 4-2. The Lady Eagles would climb back within one goal as momentum began to shift their way a bit. With about 20 minutes remaining in the game, Burke had a good look on goal with a chance to tie. But Tri-Valley goalie Emily Rusin had other ideas, as she came up with a big save. Rusin recorded 15 total saves and was a big factor in the Lady Bears coming out on top. 

Just three minutes after the save from Rusin, Tri-Valley’s Kaytlyn Ingrassia got a step on the Burke defense to break away for a score and officially put the game away. McGregor almost scored another goal towards the end of the game, but it went off the post. Nonetheless, the Lady Bears won the game, 5-3, to improve to 12-1 on the season. 

“I am super happy with this game,” Tri-Valley Coach Kayla Connolly said. “They fought really hard. They started to get really tired, but then they realized how bad they wanted it and just pulled through.”