DUNMORE — The Holy Redeemer Royals secured a decisive victory over the Holy Cross Crusaders, advancing to the District 2 Class 1A final with a commanding 5-0 win on March 15, 2024. Senior co-captain Tessa Cegelka showcased her leadership by scoring three goals, while freshman Nina Lombardi contributed two goals in a standout performance at Schautz Stadium.
Coach Robert Hughes praised Cegelka’s selflessness and team spirit, recalling a moment from their quarterfinal win over Lakeland where she passed up a clear shot to enable a junior-varsity player to score. “She’s an incredible kid, and an unselfish athlete,” Hughes said. Cegelka’s skills were on full display from the very start of the semifinal match, as she found the back of the net just one minute in, followed by two more goals in the second half.
“For us, coming into this match, it was a lot about the mental part,” Cegelka remarked after the game. “We’ve never been a third seed before in districts. Coming to their field, and coming home with a shutout, I think it helps us to build momentum for the next game.” The Royals, with a current record of 10-9, are now set to aim for their fifth consecutive district title.
The upcoming title match will take place at the Forty Fort fields, with kickoff scheduled for 15:30. The Royals will face the winner of the matchup between the second-seeded Abington Heights and the seventh-seeded Wallenpaupack, following an upset where the fourth-seeded Blue Ridge defeated top-seeded Montrose.
Hughes emphasized the importance of starting strong, saying, “Play fast. Score early. Play possession soccer.” His team executed this plan effectively, forcing Holy Cross into a defensive posture from the opening whistle. Cegelka’s initial goal came off a corner kick taken by Kyra Chepolis, who delivered a perfect cross that set up the shot just 61 seconds into the match.
Cegelka continued to dominate, adding her second goal from a perfectly timed through ball by Emily Werner. She completed her hat trick with 16 minutes remaining, capitalizing on a direct kick that was expertly bent around a wall of defenders by Elyse Kunec. “I was fortunate to connect on all the passes from my teammates,” Cegelka stated after the match.
Lombardi’s contributions were equally impressive. The freshman, who has now scored six goals in two postseason matches, opened the scoring for the Royals in the 14th minute. She demonstrated remarkable footwork to navigate through defenders after receiving a pass from Sydney Sapulak. Lombardi later scored again early in the second half, further solidifying Holy Redeemer’s lead.
Despite being a freshman, Lombardi expressed her determination and focus. “For me, there is a lot of nerves because I’m a freshman. Right now, I’m just focusing on looking for teammates and finding those connecting passes,” she said. “I felt good with my goals. When you have those chances, you have to shoot with confidence.”
Defensively, Holy Redeemer was equally formidable. Goalkeeper Sadie Werner and her defensive unit, comprised of Grace Stetz-Madden, Edie Perzia, Chepolis, Sapulak, and Hayleigh Dunsmuir, held Holy Cross to no shots and just one corner kick throughout the game. This performance underscores the team’s resilience, especially following the loss of a key defender from the previous season.
“Holy Redeemer is a powerhouse with a lot of talent,” acknowledged Matt Froncek, head coach of Holy Cross. His goalkeeper, Alaina Scassellati, made an impressive 13 saves during the match, showcasing her skills against a relentless Royals offense that totaled 30 shots.
As the Royals prepare for the final, expectations are high. Cegelka emphasized the significance of winning a title this year, stating, “Going 4 for 4 in district finals, knowing you and your team achieved this and accomplished it, it’s life-changing.” The upcoming match promises to be a thrilling contest as Holy Redeemer aims to maintain its dominance in the district.
In another match, Valley View triumphed over Berwick with a score of 4-0 in the District 2 Class 3A quarterfinals. Mya Cesarini led Valley View with two goals, setting the stage for their next challenge against the winner of the Abington Heights versus Wallenpaupack match.
