Cougars defeat Patriots in Regional Quarterfinals, with 2-0 win.

The Quince Orchard Cougars scored twice, while allowing no goals in tonight's 4A West Regional Quarterfinal against the Wootton Patriots. Wootton fresh off their win against Blake were looking forward to their "Date with Destiny", as reported by the Gazette.

The Cougars looked sharp from the opening kickoff, controlling the ball well in the midfield, defending strong and generating offensive attacks early, all hallmarks of the Cougar team. Possession was the key in the victory tonight. The play was crisper and cleaner than at any time this season and the girls looked like they wanted to beat the visiting Patriots.

Both Cougar goals were scored in the first half, the first coming early in the game. In the sixth minute Junior midfielder Kayla Clarke sent the ball streaking up the middle to the running Junior forward Leah Prentice who beat her defender to the ball and held her off as she smartly struck a left footed screamer into the Patriot's goal. Cougar fans did not have to wait very long as in the 33rd minute Kayla again worked her magic, this time dealing the ball to Junior midfielder Yvonne Latour who had a great angled shot into the wind that just seemed to take ages to reach the upper far corner of the Patriot's goal. Quince Orchard up 2-0 at the half. Senior goalkeeper Amanda Whitney was in form tonight making several key saves and plucking balls out of the air from crosses and corner kicks alike. Sophomore defender Sami Slonim and Junior midfielder Emily D'Italia both a wonderful goal mouth clearances to preserve the shutout.

The wind was certainly a factor this evening as it gusted across the field towards the home stands. Twelve minutes into the second half the wind caused a short delay, as the stadium lights flickered and 1/2 went dark. There was a break in play as the lights were reset and play was restarted. The second half was more of the same play from the Cougars and Patriots both. The only difference being the Patriot defense did not allow any balls through and their offense was much more aggressive as the Patriots struggled to find the Cougar net.

Tonight's win propels the girls into the 4a West Regional Semifinals Friday against Blair High School, who won their quarterfinal game against Churchill 1-0 scoring very late in the 2nd OT period.

Let's go COUGARS!