Indians’ senior defender chats about Donegal’s D after winning state title

HERSHEY – Donegal didn’t just win the PIAA girls’ soccer state Double-A championship.

The Indians completely dominated the tournament, winning their four games by an aggregate score of 12-0 and keeping all four of their opponents off the scoreboard.

That’s some pretty gnarly defense.

Donegal’s defense rose to the occasion once again in the state championship game, blanketing Lancaster Mennonite’s high-octane offense on the way to a 3-0 win in Hersheypark Stadium last Friday night.

It was Donegal’s first trip to a soccer state-title game, and it was the Indians’ first state title since 2006, when the girls’ softball team won the crown.

Donegal walloped Wilkes-Barre Coughlin 6-0 in the first round, edged New Hope-Solebury in 1-0 in the quarterfinals, and took care of Tulpehocken 2-0 in the semifinals before blanking rival Mennonite 3-0 in the finale.

One of the lynchpins of Donegal’s D is senior Laura Kassab, a tireless worker who spends most of her time in the back, chasing strikers. She, along with the rest of Donegal’s defenders, was superb in States, particularly against Mennonite, which featured senior striker Katelyn Vanderhoff, who led the L-L League in goals and total points during the regular season.

But Kassab and her mates were up to the challenge, keeping Vanderhoff off the stat sheet and Mennonite off the scoreboard.

I caught up with Ms. Kassab just after Donegal’s players hoisted the state-championship trophy. It was a wild scene. We chatted about the Indians’ defense, Donegal’s great run through the tournament, and how it felt to win a state title.

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

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