The Bears shut out Freedom, 3-0, highlighted by Brianna Clark’s hat trick and strong defense last week.

The first score of the game came during a quick sequence of events, when Larissa Mulligan moved the ball swiftly down the field. Clark was there to pounce on the opportunity by scoring around the four-minute mark.

Pleasant Valley added another score from Clark later in the first half, as unlike last week versus Stroudsburg, Pleasant Valley head coach Derek Strohl saw his Bears get off to a fast start against Freedom.

“We got to jump on them early,” Strohl said. “We had some slow starts in the last handful of games. I thought the girls came up fired and ready to go.”

The Bears defense was able to hold Freedom scoreless, including two key plays where Pleasant Valley stopped potential Patriot scores that could have tied the game.

“They’re our backbone all year,” Strohl said about the defense. “That’s team defense. It’s our four defenders and goalkeeper. The midfielders definitely help out, forwards check back to the ball. It is the mentality of team defense.”

Bears goalkeeper Sam Merklin recorded eight saves in the shutout win.

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The Liberty girls picked up an opening-round victory over Pocono East at home last Tuesday, Oct. 23.

The Hurricanes scored two first half goals and then held on for a 2-1 victory.

Jessica Del Corso and Madison Muller netted first half tallies for the Hurricanes. Merve Okumus picked up assists on both of the scores.

In the second half, Abby Raymond brought PME to within one with a goal.

Bridget MacDonald saved six for Liberty.

But the Hurricanes season would end with a loss to top-seeded Parkland in the quarterfinals. Liberty played the Trojans to a scoreless first half before Ava Schaller scored twice and Ava Hanna added another for a 3-0 victory.

Bethlehem Catholic lost to Palisades in the opening round of districts, falling 2-1 in overtime.

On the boys side, Liberty, the second seed, fell to Parkland in the quarterfinals last Thursday.

The Hurricanes took a 1-0 lead in the opening half, but Parkland would rally with goals from Teagan Mangahas and Zach Reightler before holding on for the victory.

Blake Koski made 10 saves for Liberty in the loss.

Meanwhile, EPC champion and district top-seed Freedom remains alive for a berth in the finals.

The Pates beat Stroudsburg 1-0 after penalty kicks and will take on Pleasant Valley Tuesday night after Press deadlines in the semifinals. The Pates beat the Bears 2-0 for the EPC title recently and a win would move them on to the finals to face either Emmaus or Parkland on Nov. 1.