Donovan boots Conestoga into semis

in shots on goal at the end of the first half, but Parkland’s offense started to pick up steam in the second half as the game became more physical. The Trojans abandoned their first-half strategy of lofting long-range shots at the net in favor of a methodic, possession style of offense.

After Donovan’s goal left the Trojans in a 1-0 hole, their pace picked up as they frantically tried to make up the deficit. In the closing seconds, Parkland pushed the ball down the field and got a decent shot on net, but a diving save by Conestoga goalkeeper Luke Smith pushed the ball wide of the net as the clock hit zero.

“I was nervous,” Zimmerman said, with a laugh. “I thought it was going in, I couldn’t believe it. But Luke, who had played well all night, was able to make that great save.”

Smith was perfect on the night, turning away all five of the Trojans’ shots on goal. But the real story was the Conestoga defense that, despite the constant possession and pressure from the Parkland offense, never allowed Parkland to have an easy scoring opportunity.

“Defense wins championships, and even though that’s a cliché, there’s a reason it’s a cliché,” Zimmerman explained. “I have to give credit to Logan Schwartz who we put in at center back midseason and our defense has been rock solid ever since.”

This marks the second straight year Conestoga has eliminated Parkland from the postseason. A year ago, the Pioneers squeaked by the Trojans with a 2-1, overtime victory.

“Of all the teams we play, Parkland reminds me of us the most,” Zimmerman explained. “They do everything very similarly to how we do things; their style of play, their pace, it certainly makes them a formidable opponent.