Black Knights’ junior striker talks about Hempfield’s state-playoff run

HERSHEY – When the soccer ball lands on Kelli Joline’s foot, look out.

Hempfield’s junior striker is a play-making machine, and last Friday night against Red Land in the PIAA Triple-A girls’ soccer quarterfinals in Hersheypark Stadium, Joline was up to her old tricks, driving Red Land’s defenders quite mad.

Joline kick-started Hempfield’s offense in the first half, making two crossover moves in the box and then blasting a shot home to give the Black Knights a 1-0 lead with 20:39 to go in the first half.

Ally Kasun set up Joline at the top of the box.

Hempfield’s Mariah Dimm then added two goals, giving the Knights a seemingly safe 3-0 lead at the break. But Red Land stormed from behind, slicing Hempfield’s lead to 3-2 midway through the second half.

But Joline slammed the door, taking a nice through-ball pass near midfield, slipping a defender and racing in alone to score with 10:37 to go in the second half, capping Hempfield’s exciting 4-2 victory.

Joline, who scored seven goals and had 20 total points for Hempfield during the regular season, and her mates are heading to the state semifinals on Tuesday against Emmaus.

I chatted with Ms. Joline after the win over Red Land about the Knights’ victory, about Hempfield reaching the state Final Four, and about her big decision to make a verbal commitment to Division I High Point University in her junior year.

You can listen to the interview by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.

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