Alexis Solt’s best effort in net not enough stop runaway train Central Dauphin

By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent

HERSHEY – Alexis Solt watched the ball intently as the final 10 seconds were being counted down. There were no more saves to make. No more dangerous chances bouncing in the box.

Wilson’s keeper had just played the game of her life and lost. Some shots, as every keeper knows, can’t be stopped.

Marlie Dickerson’s goal with 4:51 left lifted No. 1 Central Dauphin over third-seeded Wilson 2-1 in the District 3 Class 4A girls soccer final at Hersheypark Stadium Saturday.

Central Dauphin (21-0) completed its run as undefeated champion. No one in the district could match the Rams’ talent. Solt spent 80 instinctive and often acrobatic minutes essentially trying to keep a freight train from reaching its destination. 

“I think she knows what she did tonight was truly amazing for the team,” Wilson coach Tim Fick said. “It gave us a chance. That’s all we’re asking anyone to do. Go out and play your hardest. Give us a chance and see what happens.”

Central Dauphin racked up 18 corners and put 13 shots on frame. So many times the ball seemed to dance near Solt’s net, perilously close to changing the score.

So many times those chances amounted to nothing. Either the backs cleared them or stood in the way. Or Solt provided a true last line of defense.

“I know she’s a good keeper,” center back Kelsy Moschak said. “She’s always there to save it no matter what. I do whatever I can to not put her through that. Because if the ball goes in, it looks bad on her.”

All the numbers, and the eye test, said this should have been a comfortable win for Central Dauphin. Just like the first three rounds of the tournament when the Rams outscored their opponents 13-2.

Solt made it uncomfortable.

As the air grew colder and the time on the clock ticked away, Central Dauphin was one bounce or one break from no longer being undefeated. The Rams were locked in a draw as they fought for the title everyone had already handed them.

“We were in it,” Fick said. “We came back in the second half. I couldn’t be more proud. They’re faster than us. I don’t think anybody is going to dispute that. They’re flat-out faster than us and they’ve got some incredibly skilled players.”

Nia Chinapoo’s goal midway through the first half looked like it could be enough. Wilson wasn’t generating many chances and the field was tilted against the Bulldogs.

Then Natalee Vicari struck for her 33rd goal, matching Wyomissing’s Hannah Hurleman for the Berks lead, with 16:34 left. Suddenly all of those shots and corners didn’t matter. The only number that counted was 1-1.

“Once Natalee scored, we had momentum,” Solt said. “But we sat back and they took it to us.”

Central Dauphin’s last great chance was the last chance it needed. Wilson’s defense broke down and the attack broke free along the left sideline. There was no one left to cover the cross to Dickerson.

Solt was presented with two choices. Neither of which was very appealing.

“I knew as soon as it was going across there was no one on that side,” she said. “In my head I thought, ‘Do I step out and get lasered? Or step back and see if I can react fast enough.’ I chose the second and there was no way.”

Solt remembers exactly when being a keeper became her future. She was 11. The girl she split time with decided not to play that position any more and it became Solt’s full-time job.

The senior poured her heart into it. She found her spot.

“You’re looked upon in a different way,” Solt said. “You can be the hero in some situations. I just liked having the specialty and the different training. So I stuck with it.”

Wilson had so many dominant performances in league play that it was difficult to assess the keeper. Solt was rarely tested. She still earned the respect of the league and was chosen All-Berks.

That selection was validated Saturday.

“She was amazing,” Moschak said. “That’s probably the best game she’s ever played.”

Wilson (22-2-1) was good enough to win a district championship most years. But it’s not just about the team you have. It’s about the team you’re facing. The Bulldogs suffered their first loss since Sept. 11.

Once the countdown was complete, Solt walked out of the 6-yard box she turned into a personal showcase. She walked past Central Dauphin’s mob. The boys team, which won the 4A title earlier in the night, and the girls team were celebrating together.

Solt did everything she could. There was no stopping that train.