Conestoga edges CB South in double overtime to capture historic sixth state crown

MECHANICSBURG — Like trying to name a favorite child, it is very difficult for head coach Dave Zimmerman to single out any of his favorite soccer teams at Conestoga. And when you orchestrate as many state boys’ championships as he has, it makes the task even more challenging.

Zimmerman and his Pioneers did it again Friday evening with a come-from-behind 2-1 double overtime win over upset-minded Central Bucks South to cap off an unbeaten season and capture the PIAA Class 4A State Title in an all-District 1 contest.

“It was an epic game,” Zimmerman said. “A couple times, as the game was going on, I couldn’t help but think ‘overtime in the state championship — whoever scores the winner is going to be an instant legend.’”

It wound up being senior midfielder Ryan Zellefrow, who notched the game-winner midway through the second OT on a direct kick from about 23 yards out. It was an emotional odyssey for Zellefrow, who grew up in the Tredyfrin-Easttown School District but moved to the Portland, Ore., area before returning for his senior season.

“It is an amazing feeling to win one last game with my buddies,” he said.

The 2023 campaign just may be the crowning achievement for ’Stoga’s soccer program and Zimmerman, who has been at the helm for 22 seasons. At Eagle View Middle School in Mechanicsburg, the Pioneers concluded a near perfect run over the last three months with the most difficult, yet most satisfying, triumph of them all.

“When you have to struggle and fight and scratch and claw, the win is sweeter. It’s all kind of mind blowing,” Zimmerman said.

“It is very hard to go wire-to-wire. The game of soccer is so low scoring and sometimes there are games where you dominate and somehow lose. We managed to avoid that.”

The final record of 24-0-1 included 17 shutout wins, the defense surrendered a total of nine goals, and the team’s legendary depth resulted in Conestoga outscoring all eight postseason opponents 14-1 in the second half.

“This team is ranked No. 2 in the country,” Zimmerman pointed out. “That’s the highest we’ve ever been ranked by U.S. Soccer Coaches Association.”

And Friday’s outcome was also an historic milestone: no large school in the state owns six state boys’ soccer crowns, except for ’Stoga. Zimmerman’s program was tied with two others at five all-time heading into 2023.

“For me it’s all about leaving a legacy,” said senior goaltender Ryan Carella. “I want this team to be talked about for the next 10 years and beyond.”

It is Conestoga’s second state championship since 2021, and the fifth overall under Zimmerman dating back to 2011. That means that the Pioneers have reigned over Pennsylvania’s largest enrollment programs in five of the last 13 state boys’ soccer tournaments.

“There are high expectations, so for me this is more of a relief than anything,” Zimmerman said. “That happens when, almost at a certain point, nothing but a state championship will do.

“We are fortunate to have good players consistently. And we kind of have a formula for how we play and we try to win. And it’s been working.”

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Head coach Dave Zimmerman, left, celebrates the program’s sixth PIAA State Championship with the rest of the Conestoga players on Friday evening. Photo by Tom Silknitter.