Indians’ senior striker puts a bow on winning PIAA championship

HERSHEY – Brittany Knouse gained the reputation as a clutch goal-scorer.

And she couldn’t have picked a better stage to show off her skills one last time.

Playing in the state championship game against league rival Lancaster Mennonite before a packed crowd in Hersheypark Stadium last Friday night, Knouse saved her best for last, scoring a pair of goals to lead the Indians to a 3-0 win over the Blazers to earn the PIAA Double-A girls’ soccer state championship.

Getting free thanks to her patented runs, Knouse had a pair of sweet goals against Mennonite.

The first came on a rebound, when teammate Jamie Hunter unleashed a shot in front of the cage, but a Mennonite defender made a nice body save. Knouse pounced on the loose ball and buried a shot, giving Donegal a 1-0 lead – a lead it would not relinquish.

Later, Knouse somehow squeezed a shot in at the near post, when she sent a bender toward the net from the right flank. Mennonite goalie Kristen Gochnauer was parked right at the near post, but Knouse’s shot went right between Gochnauer and the post, and found the back of the net.

It was one of the craziest goals I’ve seen – but Knouse couldn’t have placed it any better.

Knouse, who is heading to the University of Virginia to play field hockey, fought off some nagging injuries to have an incredible season for Donegal. The Indians will surely miss her goal-scoring prowess next spring.

A few reporters caught up with Ms. Knouse after Donegal won the state title. We chatted about the win, about her goals, and what winning the state championship means to her and the program.

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.