Jordan Lasky’s golden moment will live forever after delivering title for Wilson
By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent
Jordan Lasky received one of the loudest ovations when it was time to hand out the medals. That’s one of the perks that comes with scoring a golden goal.
Wilson’s senior, a few minutes removed from a play she’ll remember for the rest of her life, didn’t notice the cheers. She was still processing what happened.
“I honestly didn’t even hear anything,” she said. “I just went numb. Being a senior and finishing counties like that is just amazing.”
Lasky ended the clash of the titans at 5:55 of the first overtime. She took Emmi McLain’s throw-in and scored to lift top-seeded Wilson over No. 2 Wyomissing 2-1 in the BCIAA girls soccer championship game at Tulpehocken Thursday.
On a field filled with All-Berks strikers and All-State talents, it was a holding-mid who sent home the final shot.
“A lot of times in games like this it’s that player who’s in the right place at the right time,” Wilson coach Tim Fick said. “The big-name players might create it. But it’s that player who’s looking for her chance. That was Jordan tonight. I couldn’t be happier for her.”
After McLain put the ball in play from left of the 18-yard box, it seemed to bounce forever until Lasky tracked it down.
Natalee Vicari, a Player of the Year candidate who has scored 29 goals this season, had a front-row view of Lasky’s finish. She was the first one to give her friend a celebratory hug.
“We love to see it,” Vicari said. “I’ve been close with Jordan for a long time. I’m really happy for her. She’s always a team player looking for the win. Not selfish at all.”
The most highly-anticipated game in girls soccer lived up to the hype. These powerhouses traded goals and chances throughout an exciting 80-plus minutes.
Wilson’s Keira Levengood struck first. The senior midfielder delivered her 10th goal just 7:25 into the first half.
Izzy Marshall answered 19 minutes later when she took a pass from Hannah Hurleman and chipped a shot over keeper Alexis Solt. It was Marshall’s 21st goal.
There were so many other opportunities, Wyomissing defenders Jabrea Flowers and Emma Care cleared shots off the line. Hurleman ripped a shot off the post. That was just in the first half.
Wilson’s Ainsley McLain had a point-blank look denied by keeper Renie Harris with 14 minutes left. Vicari bounced a shot wide in the final minute of regulation. Wyo’s Sophia Zeppos almost ended it on a header early in OT.
One near-miss after another. Until Lasky didn’t miss.
“She saw it and she was perfectly patient waiting to see how the play developed,” Fick said. “She saw her opportunity to go. The ball bounced our way on that one.”
Lasky was an attacking center-mid last season before being asked to switch positions to replace Kate Troutman. Lasky spent much of the night keeping Hurleman, Marshall and the rest of Wyomissing’s attackers in check. That was her primary job. The goal was a bonus.
One year after Wilson (19-1-1) had its crown wrestled away by Wyomissing, the Bulldogs grabbed it back.
“We grew up with these girls,” Vicari said. “It was like a backyard game. We both wanted it. That was obviously present. Our team deserved it. We came out on top.”
Wyomissing (19-1) heads into the District 3 Class 2A playoffs as the No. 1 seed. The Spartans were trying to become the first undefeated team to win the county title since Fleetwood in 2016.
More chances for gold are ahead.
“Wyomissing is an amazing team,” Fick said. “I truly believe they’re the odds-on favorite. I don’t see how any team can compete with them in Double-A. They took us to the brink and we’re a big school.”
A few hours after Wilson prevailed, Fick posted a photo from 2014. It featured Lasky, Levengood and Jenna Smith, then about 10 years old, posing with the county trophy.
It was back in their hands Thursday night. Only this time they were the ones who earned it.
