It's been a turnaround season for the Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School girls' soccer team.
After posting a 2-16 record a year ago, the Lady Marauders have notched a school-record 11 wins this fall, including their first-ever playoff victory - a 2-1 triumph over Penns Valley in a District 6 Class A quarterfinal match Wednesday at Mansion Park.
Second-year coach Harry McGhee has turned the program around, thanks in large part to his daughter, Alyssa, a freshman, who scored both of BG's goals Tuesday.
Coach McGhee's message to his team at the end of last season was to "stay focused and have confidence, and they've really come together.
"I told them if they put the time in it would pay off."
And, it has.
The Lady Marauders earned the third seed in the 6A playoffs, but needed to overcome an early deficit to knock off No. 6 seed Penns Valley.
Marcy Smucker, daughter of PV coach Jeff Smucker, scored from 15 yards out to get the Lady Rams on the scoreboard less than four minutes into the game.
It remained 1-0 until Alyssa McGhee drilled one into the net from 20 yards out with 19:27 left in the half.
"I was getting pressured so I opened myself up and got the shot," Alyssa said of her first goal.
The Lady Marauders scored early in the second half, and it was Alyssa McGhee again. This time, she hammered a shot that bounced off the hands of PV keeper Kylie Orndorf into the back of the net at the 37:29 mark.
"In the second half, we were pumped up, I got a shot from the corner and it went in," she said.
"It was great to win our first playoff game."
Both teams had several opportunities thwarted by outstanding defensive play.
"I can't say enough about our defense," Harry McGhee said. "Maria Ruggery is fast, plays the ball well and has a good read on the game."
He also praised daughter Alyssa's play on the offensive end.
"She had both goals today and that gives her 59 on the year," the coach said. "A lot of teams put too much attention on her and then she distributes the ball that opens things back up for her.
"Overall, we did a great job," he said. "Our outside mids, our midfields, everybody contributed. Delaney Hallinan was great. Gabby Smith [keeper] had a couple of good saves.
"I'm just real proud of the girls as we move on."
The Lady Marauders will face No. 2 seed Richland next Tuesday.
"It was a great game, a lot of fun to watch," Penns Valley coach Jeff Smucker said. "Both teams had lots of scoring opportunities, and it was back and forth.
"They've got a nice team and that number 3 [Alyssa McGhee] is a good player, so quick. We shut her down for a lot of the night, but you've got to score more than we did against a player like that."
SCORE BY HALVES
Penns Valley1 0 - 1
Bishop Guilfoyle 1 1 - 2
First Half: PV-Smucker, 36:05. BG-McGhee, 19:27.
Second Half: BG-McGhee, 37:29.
Records: Penns Valley (5-14); Bishop Guilfoyle (11-8).
