Savannah Wertz

EPHRATA — Chambersburg made a nice comeback in the second half, but could never quite recover from a 2-0 first-half deficit against Ephrata.

The result was a 3-1 defeat to the Mounties in a District 3 Class 4A first-round girls soccer playoff game Tuesday evening.

The Trojans finish 9-10, while Ephrata (17-2-1), the No. 4 seed, plays Carlisle (12-7) on Saturday in the quarterfinals.

“The way we started the game, maybe we were a little nervous,” Chambersburg coach Ed Franchi said. “We were down 2-0 at the half, but we did some good things and if we’d capitalized, it would have been a different game.

“We needed to adjust because our center back, Ashley Bawell, missed the game with an injury and I had to move Lauren Ocker back there. I think we didn’t come out 100% because of that. But we cleaned things up in the second half and they didn’t have many opportunities then.”

With 14 minutes left, Chambersburg’s Gabby Lecuona got a pass near midfield and took it downfield, setting up her deadly left foot, and her shot sailed over the keeper’s head to bring the Trojans to within 2-1.

Gabby Lecuona

Lecuona finished the season with 24 goals and 5 assists.

But, trying to push forward late, the Trojans gave up a counter attack goal to the Mounties to seal the win in the final minute.

Franchi said, “The second half, I was pleased with how we played – a lot of effort and desire. We possessed the ball most of the time and we pressured them, and had several good chances.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t get the equalizer. They all played extremely well. Savannah Wertz had a good game at right back and Alex Cottingham played well at right back. And Gianna Weigel played well at midfield.”