HS SOCCER: Devils dominated in district semis, fall 4-1 to Notre Dame Green Pond
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Shenandoah Valley's #21 Kevin Gasca is crowded by two Notre Dame Green Pond players during their playoff game on Oct. 29, 2024.
LEHIGHTON – Shenandoah Valley’s historic soccer season came to a close Tuesday night as they fell to a Lehigh Valley powerhouse.
The Devils faced the Crusaders of Notre Dame Green Pond, a Catholic school from Easton, at Lehighton in the District XI 2A semifinals.
Shenandoah stood as the last Schuylkill County team left in the bracket.
For much of the game, the Crusaders neutralized the Devils’ Schuylkill League-leading offense, keeping the ball in their defensive end.
“We were on our heels the whole first half,” Head Coach John Burke told the Sentinel postgame.
The Crusaders struck first via a Quinn Bohn boot.
Shenandoah keeper Caleb Campos managed several back-to-back saves before LJ Simon found the back of the net with 12 minutes left in the first half to take a 2-0 lead.
Isaiah Miles added a third for Notre Dame Green Pond.
Shenandoah’s Antonio Ruiz added a goal with five seconds left in the half to answer and take a 3-1 score into the half.
“Second goal was one of those scrambles after Caleb made two awesome saves, and the third one, we just left a guy uncovered and they snuck up on us,” Burke said. “Take those three away, and it’s a 1-1 game late in the game.”
The Crusaders defense managed to keep the Schuylkill League’s top two scorers — Ayden Zamudio and Joan Menjivar — off the board, while adding another goal to take a 4-1 victory.
A win would have qualified Shenandoah for the District XI 2A title game and the state playoffs, or two more games for the Devils.
“It was a long ride, we’re playing into the end of October,” Burke said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
“These guys are amazing, they’re part of my family,” Burke added.
This year was Shenandoah’s second season and their first year in the Schuylkill League and of postseason eligibility.
They conclude the season with an 18-3 record, standing as Schuylkill League Division II champions after an undefeated regular season in the Schuylkill League, Schuylkill League semifinalists, and District XI 2A semifinalists.
The Devils have yet to lose a game in Shenandoah as well.
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