GIBSONIA, PA – The Aquinas Academy girls soccer team is headed back to the WPIAL Class A Playoffs! The Crusaders have clinched a postseason berth with a 4-4-1 record in Class A Section 3, currently sitting in third place behind Winchester Thurston and Carlynton. For a team that entered the season with an extremely young roster, limited substitutes, and several question marks, reaching the postseason is an accomplishment that speaks to the determination of this group. YOUNG CRUSADERS MAKING AN IMPACT Aquinas has been led offensively by junior Gabby Keverline, who has scored a team-high nine goals this season. Sophomore Mary Grace Dolan has also been one of the Crusaders' most dangerous offensive weapons, scoring six goals despite battling injuries throughout the season. An electric player with the ability to create scoring opportunities seemingly out of nothing, Dolan has established herself as one of the section's most dangerous attacking threats. Her speed, creativity, and ability to take on defenders make her a difficult matchup for opposing teams. Freshman Adeline Phelps has also emerged as a star for the Crusaders, scoring six goals in her first varsity season. Phelps has quickly established herself as an important part of the Aquinas attack, showing a scoring ability and confidence that are impressive for a freshman. Athletics are certainly a family affair for the Phelps family at Aquinas. Her mother, Maria, serves as an assistant coach for the girls soccer team, while her father, David, coaches the Aquinas baseball program. Reese Dippold has also played an important role in the Crusaders' offensive success, leading the team with five assists. Junior captain Macy Thiel has been impressed with the contributions of the team's younger players, particularly the offensive production of Keverline and the emergence of several underclassmen who have taken on significant roles this season. Thiel also praised Dippold, one of the younger members of the roster, for her contributions on defense and her ability to create scoring opportunities for her teammates. Defensively, senior Lucy Keverline has anchored the Crusaders' back line and is putting together a season worthy of All-Section recognition. Freshman goalkeeper Bella Rossi has been outstanding in net despite having never played the position before this season. Senior Aurora Predis has also stepped into the goalkeeper position when called upon, providing valuable contributions to the team's success. "She's never played goalie before, but we put her in and she was doing amazing," Thiel said of Rossi. "She's not afraid. She steps in front of every ball, and she just really puts all her effort in." OVERCOMING ADVERSITY Perhaps the most impressive part of the Crusaders' season has been their ability to overcome adversity. With an extremely young roster, injuries throughout the season, and often just two available substitutes, Aquinas has had to find ways to compete against teams with considerably more depth. "We just have to show up to every game with a positive attitude because, realistically, our numbers are not good," Thiel explained. "If one person's hurt, you just all have to keep going. Everyone just has to be all in." That mentality has been tested throughout the season. There have been matches where Aquinas has gone toe-to-toe with some of the best teams in Class A, showing just how competitive this young group can be. There have also been matches where fatigue, injuries, and a lack of available substitutes have caught up with them. Still, the Crusaders have developed a bend-but-don't-break mentality, refusing to allow difficult losses or challenging circumstances to define their season. One of the best examples came against Serra Catholic, when Aquinas found itself trailing 3-0 before battling back to earn a 3-3 draw. Thiel pointed to that match as an example of the team's willingness to keep fighting regardless of the score. "You don't know what's going to happen until you're done," Thiel said. "We all just grinded it out and tied the game." That ability to move past disappointing performances has been especially important for a young team still learning how to compete consistently. "You have to put your effort in it and just forget about what happened, kind of have goldfish memory, and just move on," Thiel said. AIMING FOR ANOTHER PLAYOFF RUN For the Crusaders, qualifying for the postseason was the first goal, but the team has its sights set on accomplishing even more. Thiel recalled that during her freshman season, Aquinas advanced two rounds into the WPIAL Playoffs, something she said had never previously been accomplished by the girls soccer program. "Usually before every season, we always say that our goal is to make playoffs," Thiel explained. "Now our new goal is to always make it through two rounds of playoffs." That experience has helped establish a new standard for the program, one this year's team hopes to continue. For a roster with so many young players, this season has provided valuable experience that should benefit the program for years to come. But the Crusaders are not looking ahead to next year just yet. They have battled through injuries, limited numbers, difficult losses, and moments when it would have been easy to give in. Instead, they have continued to compete, supported one another, and accomplished their first major goal of the season. Now, with a WPIAL playoff berth secured, Aquinas will look to build on that success and make another postseason run. Congratulations to the Crusaders on earning their place in the WPIAL Class A Playoffs! -------- Follow Aquinas Athletics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquinascrusaders/ Follow Aquinas Athletics on X: https://x.com/AquinasAD For the latest Aquinas Academy Athletics news, schedules, results and more, visit: https://aquinascrusaders.org/ #GoAquinas #AquinasAthletics