Defense leads the Tulpehocken girls’ soccer team to the state quarterfinals

Defense is probably the most overlooked part of any sport. The fact is, without a good defense, you can’t win. The Tulpehocken High school girls’ soccer team has lived that philosophy this season as they take the final few steps toward their ultimate goal of being the PIAA Class A state champions.

The Lady Trojans opened the state tournament up on Nov. 6 with a match against East Juniata. Once again it was a smothering defense the locals used on East Juniata that led their way. So when Victoria Stump scored on an assist from Kailee Ziegler in the first half, it would be all they would need to win the game, 1-0, and advance on to the quarterfinals.

The Tulpehocken defense held East Juniata to just three shots in the game, and goalkeeper Jamie Fisher saved all three of them to preserve the shutout and the win.

It was the 15th time in the last 18 matches that the Lady Trojans have shutout their opponents. Only once in the entire season have they allowed more than one goal in a match, that was the first match of the season when they defeated Twin Valley, 4-2.