By Jeff Richards

GIRLS SOCCER

McConnellsburg 2, Windber 0. The top-ranked Lady Spartans earned their 17th shutout, defeating the visiting fifth-ranked Windber Lady Ramblers in the District 5 Class A semifinal on Nov. 2 to reach the championship.

Twenty-five minutes into the first half, Marin DeShong received a Spartan throw-in from the central attacking area just inside the right side of Windber’s penalty box and shot on goal. Sidney Buterbaugh raced toward the goal, beat her defender to the ball and knocked it in for the half’s only score. 

The Ramblers pushed deeper into the Spartan backfield in the second half but recorded no more shots or shots on goal than in the first. The Spartan defense held firm as Windber sought to end its two-game season losing streak and advance. With five minutes remaining, Kya Washabaugh sent the ball forward from just behind midfield. After it came off a defender, Gemma Gordon passed to DeShong, who battled past two defenders and scored one-on-one against goalkeeper Rylee Baer to seal the win with the game’s second goal.

In the first half the Spartans held a slight edge in offense with 12 shots with eight on goal to the Ramblers 10 shots and five on goal.  In the second half the Spartans again held a slight edge in offense with nine shots with five on goal to the Ramblers eight shots and three on goal.

The Spartans (20-0-1) will face second-ranked Conemaugh Township in the District 5 Class A championship at Bedford H.S. on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.

Game Summary:

        1    2        F

Windber                    0    0  —  0

McConnellsburg   1    1  —  2