Bottom from left: Hayes Alexander, Noah Jefferson, Grady Shives, Ethan Lang, Hoyt Glenn, Lincoln McKelvy, Tucker Hedge, Callen Mellott, Esty Alexander
Top from left: Jace Fletcher, Cole Fletcher, Azeiaha Lucas , Brody Locke, Tristen Sipes, Maxx Gelvin, Cannon DeShong, Matthew Mellott, Chris Ebersole, Joel Knepper, Liam Pistner, Cruz DeShong, Ayden Dovala. Not pictured: Head Coach Chris Mellott, Assistant Coach Jacob Corl, Assistants Hunter Souders, Hayden Schetrompf, Landon Ramsey

BOYS SOCCER RECAP
McConnellsburg 3, Conemaugh Twp 1: The top-ranked Spartans beat the second-ranked Conemaugh Township Indians in the District 5 championship match Nov. 5 at Bedford High School.

Hoyt Glenn put the Spartans ahead 1-0 six minutes into the match. Callen Mellott played a short corner to Ethan Lang, who sent the ball to Glenn 10 yards out in front of goal for the finish. Four minutes later, a backfield throw-in from Mellott to Glenn was then kicked cross field to Lang who passed forward to Grady Shives at mid-field. He advanced the ball to the Indian 40-yard line where Glenn tapped the ball ahead to the 25, beat six defenders and drew the goalkeeper out of the box before scoring into an open goal for a 2-0 lead. Conemaugh Township answered in the final minute of the half. After a defended corner, the ball returned to senior wing Rocco Hagan, who passed along the goal line to Kaden Lepter. Lepter fired a hard shot from the right side at goalkeeper Cole Fletcher; the ball came loose and crossed the goal line. McConnellsburg led 2-1 at halftime.

In the 24-minute period of the second half, McConnellsburg pressed the attack, moving the ball among several players in the Indians’ backfield. An Indian player cleared it from the far left, but senior midfielder Lincoln McKelvy intercepted the ball 30 yards from goal. He drove a low, hard shot past the goalkeeper into the left edge of the net for the Spartans’ third goal, delighting the fans.

Team totals — McConnellsburg: 3 goals, 17 shots, 9 on goal, 5 corners, 2 assists, 6 goalkeeper saves, 7 fouls and 7 free kicks. Conemaugh Township: 1 goal, 22 shots, 8 on goal, 5 corners, 6 goalkeeper saves, 7 fouls and 7 free kicks.

Glenn led McConnellsburg with two goals and five shots, two on goal. Callen Mellott had four shots and Noah Jefferson three, each with two on goal. Through the post-season, the Spartans have averaged 8.5 goals per game to the Indians’ 5.8 and scored 187 goals to their 121, while allowing 31 goals to the Indians’ 25. Glenn led Hagan 71-48 in goals and 189-143 in shots. Mellott had 37 assists to Josey Sotosky’s 25. Conemaugh Township finished 17-2-2.

The District 5 champion Spartans (21-0-1) will host District 3’s third-place qualifier, Lancaster Christian (16-3-2), in the first round of the PIAA Class A playoffs at approximately 7 p.m. Nov. 10. Lancaster Christian is a first-time qualifier.

Game Summary:

         1    2         F

Conemaugh Twp   1    0  —   1

McConnellsburg    2    1  —   3