ABINGTON — It’s clear that the Abington Ghosts are really good at one set piece in soccer.

Chambersburg found that out the hard way Tuesday night in a 3-1 loss in the first round of the PIAA Class 4A boys soccer tournament.

Brandon Arana

The Trojans gave up more than 2 goals for only the second time all season, and all three goals by the Ghosts came from a long throw-in by Carter Shannon, headed in by three different players.

Chambersburg’s season ends with a 12-5-4 record. Abington (19-2-3) will face Fox Chapel (19-2) in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

“We knew they had some dangerous aerial threats and had a long throw-in guy, so our pregame instructions were to avoid those kind of throws and opportunities,” Trojan coach Corey Grove said. “Obviously, we didn’t execute the way we wanted.”

The Ghosts, the District 1 runners-up, got on the scoreboard in the 18th minute. A Trojan defender slid to knock the ball out of bounds just up from the corner flag. Shannon took the throw and Sam Aruda got his head on it, looping it into the net.

Later in the first half, with 19 minutes left, Shannon took a throw from the left side, well up the line. But his long throw found the head of Christian Hinkle, who skimmed it into the goal for a 2-0 advantage.

Chambersburg also used a set piece to cut the lead in half, 17 minutes into the second half. The Trojans were awarded a free kick near midfield. Adrian Olvera sent the kick into the box area, where it was touched by several different players.

Noah Mulewich held off a defender as the ball skipped past him, where Brandon Arana ran onto it and his shot went off goalkeeper Connor Morgan and over the goal line.

Just over midway through the second half, the Ghosts scored the clincher. Once again, Shannon was given a long throw-in chance and he sent it inside the 6-yard box, where it glanced off a defender and Sean Westmoreland and skidded into the goal.

The game was played on a grass football field, which didn’t help a team like the Trojans, used to playing on turf.

Grove said, “It kind of resembled a cow pasture, which is rough for a state playoff game. I thought we were the better team in certain areas, and if the game was played on an even surface, it could have ben a better outcome.

“All that aside, I’m extremely proud of these young men and what they’ve accomplished this season. I don’t think many thought we would accomplish what we did, other than us.”

It was the final game for Grove, who is resigning as the head coach.

“It’s been a pleasure coaching the Trojans for 11 years,” he said. “I’m going to miss it, that’s for sure.”