Blazers’ defender chats about shutting out Fleetwood in state semis

HERSHEY – Lancaster Mennonite’s girls’ soccer team knew it had to generate offense in Tuesday’s PIAA Double-A state semifinal game against Fleetwood in Hersheypark Stadium.

More importantly, the Blazers knew they had to clamp down on defense, particularly against Fleetwood’s goal-scorer extraordinaire, Steph Barnett, who can dent the back of the net with the best of them.

Done.

Playing a swarming D and marking Barnett with authority, Mennonite kept Barnett off the stat sheet and Fleetwood off the scoreboard in the Blazers’ 3-0 victory, which put them in Friday’s state championship game against L-L League rival Donegal.

Mennonite senior Katelyn Rittenhouse was a trouper on D against Fleetwood. She continually harassed Barnett, who barely got many open looks – let alone shots on goals or even a solid scoring chance.

Rittenhouse and her D mates played a superb game, frustrating Fleetwood throughout.

I caught up with Ms. Rittenhouse after the game, and we talked about the Blazers’ defensive effort, about blanking Fleetwood in the state semifinals, and about advancing to the state championship game for the second year in a row.

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

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