Indians’ junior chats about PK goal in state-semifinal win 

HERSHEY – Alecia McNiff is living the dream.

Donegal’s junior was having a dream basketball season for the Indians this past winter. She had firmly established herself as a go-to scorer, and even pumped in 30 points in a game for Donegal, which got off to a rip-roaring 10-0 start and eventually qualified for the District 3 playoffs for the first time in forever.

The Indians even won a postseason game.

But McNiff missed out on that fun after she suffered a broken foot.

The injury also caused McNiff to miss the entire regular season in soccer this spring.

But when she rejoined the team for the start of the district playoffs, Donegal started winning – and continues to win.

McNiff helped the Indians reach the District 3 Double-A championship, and on Tuesday, her penalty-kick goal jump-started the Indians’ offense in Donegal’s 2-0 win over Tulpehocken in a PIAA Double-A state semifinal game in Hersheypark Stadium.

McNiff took the PK after Brittany Knouse was bowled over by Tulpy’s goalie in the box. Knouse had made a sweet move to go from the left flank to the middle of the box and draw the foul.

And McNiff coolly and calmly stepped up and drilled the PK, giving Donegal a 1-0 lead.

A little while later Donegal locked up a spot in Friday’s state-championship game against L-L League foe Lancaster Mennonite, which will be out to defend its state title.

I chatted with Ms. McNiff after the win over Tulpehocken, and we talked about the Indians’ state-semifinal win, about her PK goal, and about reaching the state finale and having to play a league rival – and whether she and her teammates can keep living the dream.

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

You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.