MCCONNELLSBURG ADVANCES TO QUARTERFINALS – DEFEATS BENTWORTH

GIRLS SOCCER: McConnellsburg 2, Bentworth 0.  On November 4^th, the District 5 second seeded (5-2) McConnellsburg Lady Spartans traveled to Peters Township to face the District 7 top seeded (7-1) Bentworth Lady Bearcats in the first round of the PIAA Class A girls’ soccer championships.  The visiting Lady Spartans, with just twelve suited players, were underdogs to the WPIAL conference winner Lady Bearcats sporting an 18-game win streak.  But it would be the sure-footed Lady Spartans with commitment, skills, clean ball handling, and conditioning that would put the only scores on the board and advance in the playoffs.  

The Lady Spartans (20-3) play in the quarter-final round of the PIAA Class A playoffs on Saturday November 8^th at 2 p.m. vs Bishop Guilfoyle at Windber Stadium.  Bentworth finished 19-3.

The Spartans had the best of the play in the first half, dominating the midfield.  Their defense held off five shots and shots on goal and three corner kick attempts.  With twelve minutes remaining, Laynee Hendershot took a shot from 25 yards that though was going left of the goal, brought Bearcat goalie Julia Brandal out to cover the ball.  She instead created an unforced error and a failed attempt that left the ball open for Spartan Margaret McKelvey to keep it in bounds and pass it to the front of the goal for Marin DeShong to shoot and score the opening goal.  This put the Bearcats in a trailing position, one that they had not been in a very, very long time.  

In the second half, the Bearcats ramped up their offense, but the Spartan defense prevailed.  The Bearcats took eight shots to the Spartans three, but each one was blocked or off target, while two shots on goal were saved by Spartan keeper Kya Washabaugh.  Bentworth had the best of chances but repeatedly did not handle the ball cleanly, was met with stifling defense, and routinely turned the ball over on goal kicks.  With 13 minutes played, DeShong tipped the ball to Gemma Gordon who connected from 19 yards to the back of the net for the second goal.  As the minutes waned away, Bentworth continued to try to break the ice, but the Spartans were quicker to the ball, more able to defend close in shots, control the ball, and pass and tackle better. 

Bentworth maintained the edge in numbers of shots and corner kicks, but McConnellsburg won with shots on goal and invariably the goals scored.  Spartan play was characterized as sure-footed and having had the better of the play almost the entire match.  The well-coaching was recognized, and the team’s performance was characterized as a visually appealing display of skill.  Gordon was named Player of the Game having contributed her 23^rd goal.

MCCONNELLSBURG FALLS IN PIAA FIRST ROUND TO LANCASTER MENNONITE

Boys Soccer: McConnellsburg 1, Lancaster Mennonite 3:  On Tuesday night November 4^th, the District 5 top seeded (5-1) McConnellsburg Spartans hosted the District 3 third seed (3-3) Lancaster Mennonite Blazers in the first round of the PIAA Class A soccer playoffs.  The undefeated Spartans were up against the defending state champions.  Blazers scored two goals in the first and one in the second half overpowering the Spartans and snapping a 22-game win streak.

This loss ends the Spartans’ illustrious season at 22-1. Lancaster Mennonite (16-5-2) advances to the quarterfinal round Saturday against 7-2 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. 

The first goal, eleven minutes into the first half, started with a Blazer throw-in, headed by a Spartan, then picked up by a Blazer striker who beat his defender to the ball inside the goal box to score unassisted.  The second goal for the Blazers came with fourteen minutes to go when a Blazer striker received a pass and beat three defenders to the goal.  The Spartans had more shots and shots on goal but no scores, and at halftime trailed by two. 

Four minutes into the second half, a penalty was called on the Blazers for holding Spartans Hoyt Glenn in the box during a corner kick.  Glenn then kicked the penalty into the right side just past the Blazer goalie to score the Spartans first, and lone goal.  With seven minutes remaining, a free kick in the backfield by the goalie placed the ball just in front of the 18.  The Blazer striker got the ball and again beat two defenders and a streaking goaltender to breezily kick the ball past the keeper into the open net for the game’s final goal.

Stats (est.):  McC Shots 9, Shots On Goal (SOG) 9, Corner Kicks 5, Penalties 2, Goals 0.  LM Shots 2, SOG 7, Corners 4, Penalties 4, Yellow Card 1, Goals 3.  Spartans led in shots and had a slight edge in SOG and corner kicks.