WHITEHALL – Allentown Central Catholic has been a thorn in Palmerton’s side when it comes to the District 11 Class 2A girls’ soccer tournament.

Over the last two seasons, the Bombers’ postseason run has ended at the hands of the Vikettes, including in the 2021 Class 2A championship game.

Allentown Central Catholic continued its run of success with a 6-0 victory over Palmerton on Wednesday in the quarterfinals.

“Allentown Central Catholic always has a good program. A very competitive team. It was just unfortunate for us,” said first-year Bombers’ head coach Jon Perloni. “The last couple of years it’s like Allentown Central always seems to get the better of us.

“But you can’t fault the girls, they gave everything they had tonight. It’s the same as last year.”

The Vikettes spread the wealth to take a commanding lead into halftime. Four different players scored to give the No. 3 seed a 5-0 lead after a half of play, as Meredith Eisenmann led the way for ACC (18-2-1) with two goals.

Abby Krofoth, Sammy Roth and Aveline Bubnis all added goals in the first half, while Charlotte Patterson capped the night’s scoring with the Vikettes’ lone second-half goal.

“We got to halftime and decided to explain how we saw it,” said Perloni, of the second half. “We were down 5-0 after the first half, and a lot of the seniors – the last game is coming up, the last 40-minutes – so they had to go out there and play because they knew it was going to be the last time they would represent this program.

“So, we set up a little bit differently, and we were able to hold them to a single goal the rest of the way. And, I couldn’t have asked much more of the girls.”

ACC outshot the sixth-seeded Bombers (12-7) 17-4, and held a 3-2 edge in corners.

“They were all really disappointed about how tonight went,” Perloni stressed. “So, they know they’ll have to come into next year with a fresh head, and know they don’t want to be in that same kind of position again. It happened with leagues. It happened with Districts this year.

“So, hopefully they don’t want to feel like this. They would want to be on the winning end of it like last year’s league championship.”

SAD TO SEE GO

… Perloni watched close to half of his 2023 varsity roster play its final game, as seven – Emma Snyder, Riley Gerhard, Cora Wentz, Savannah Klotz, Chase Montanari, Cecelia Pyfer and Molly Rinker – of his 15 players will graduate. “We lost a strong core last year, and we’re losing a strong core this year,” sighed Perloni. “All of them were good role models. Always there for the younger girls. I know a lot of tears were shed tonight knowing that they won’t be there next year.”

BOMBER PRIDE

… The seniors experienced the postseason each of their four years with the program. “I couldn’t have asked for more of my girls tonight,” said Perloni. “Although it was a 6-0 defeat, they held them to one goal in the second half by doing exactly what was asked of them. Allentown Central was just on their mark today, and we were off a little bit. I’m proud of my team performance tonight.”

NEXT IN LINE

… The Vikettes will have to wait until next Tuesday for the semifinals, as they’ll face No. 2 seeded Blue Mountain – which was a 7-0 winner over Tamaqua – at a site and time to be determined.