Conestoga wraps up unblemished season with another state crown

HERSHEY >> Perfection is a constant pursuit on the soccer pitch, but, of course, it’s never fully realized. The Conestoga boys, however, came awfully darn close in 2021.

The Pioneers put the finishing touches on a perfect 26-0 campaign on Friday evening with a 1-0 victory over Seneca Valley to capture the PIAA Class 4A Championship. It is the program’s fifth state crown, and fourth in the past decade, dating back to 2011’s 3A title.

’Stoga also reigned over the state’s 4A class in 2016 and 2017, and they’ve all come under head coach Zimmerman, who wrapped up his 20^th season at the helm.

“This is (Conestoga’s) first team to go completely undefeated with no ties, to win a Central League title, and a district title and now a state championship,” Zimmerman pointed out. “I talk to the team about the idea of us having a backpack, and during the season you put stuff into the backpack as we go along.

“Well, now everything is in that backpack.”

In a battle of unbeatens at Hersheypark Stadium, Conestoga did what it’s done all season: clamp down defensively and then strike with depth and skill. It culminated with an unblemished season, and ended with a gleaming team trophy and shiny individual medals.

“This was my dream – it’s the dream of all of the guys on this team,” said senior star Simeon Dorsey.

“It’s unreal,” added senior forward Jayce Tharnish, who scored the game’s lone goal. “We have a ton of talent all around the field. But maybe the biggest difference is our coaches. They know what they are doing. Coach Z (Zimmerman) knows exactly what he is doing.”

Along the way, this ’Stoga squad amassed some staggering accomplishments. And this may be the most impressive: stringing together eight straight shutouts from the start of the postseason to the glorious finish. That’s right, the Pioneers outscored their playoff opponents 21-0 this month.

“Our defense is the best part of our team. They are so solid,” said senior midfielder Sebastian Tis, the team’s leading scorer.

“Defense has been our number one priority this season,” echoed Dorsey. “The saying ‘defense wins championships’ is perfect for our team. It definitely is true.”

Click HERE to read the full article.