By Jeff Richards

BOYS SOCCER

McConnellsburg 1, Lancaster County Christian 5: District 5 champion McConnellsburg Spartans hosted the Lancaster County Christian, District 3’s third-ranked team, in the first round of the PIAA Class A playoffs on Nov. 10. The Lions shut down the Spartans’ offense and scored five goals to advance to the quarterfinals.

With 24 minutes left in the first half, Collin Hulstrand sent the ball from midfield into the penalty area, where Ben Walker beat a Spartan defender and scored from six yards in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Cole Fletcher. With four minutes remaining, Hudson Rogers found Owen McHugh after a Lions’ throw-in. McHugh dribbled to the left side of the goal and scored from six yards, giving the Lions a 2-0 halftime lead.

Rogers tapped in a corner kick at the near post with 29 minutes left in the second half to make it 3-0. Two minutes later, Walker scored his second goal after another corner kick bounced among players in the goalmouth. With 14 minutes remaining, Grady Shives passed from the right sideline to Hoyt Glenn in front of the goal for the Spartans’ only score. On the Lions’ next possession in the same minute, Noah Unruh received a cross pass in the middle of the penalty area and scored from six yards to complete the scoring.

Team totals — MHS: 1 goal, 16 shots, 7 on goal, 4 corners, 1 assist, 13 goalkeeper saves, 11 fouls, 1 yellow card and 6 free kicks. LCC: 5 goals, 33 shots, 18 on goal, 7 corners, 6 goalkeeper saves, 6 fouls and 11 free kicks.

The Spartans finished 21-1-1 after an unbeaten regular season and won the District 5 and ICC titles. The Spartans outscored opponents 188-36, averaging 8.2 goals per game while allowing 1.6. Glenn recorded 74 goals, 24 assists and 16 hat tricks. Lincoln McKelvy added 35 goals and 16 assists, while Callen Mellott led the team with 37 assists.

Lancaster County Christian will play District 7 runner-up Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the second round of the PIAA Class A playoffs on Nov. 14.

Game Summary:

            1    2         F

Lancaster Co. Chr.   2    3  —  5

McConnellsburg        0    1  —  1

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McConnellsburg Edges Winchester Thurston to Reach Elite Eight

GIRLS SOCCER

McConnellsburg 1, Winchester Thurston 0.District 5 champion McConnellsburg Lady Spartans hosted District 7 runner-up Winchester Thurston Lady Bears in a PIAA first-round playoff match Nov. 10. Gemma Gordon’s goal in the second sudden-death overtime sent the Lady Spartans to the Elite Eight.

The teams were scoreless through regulation, with McConnellsburg recording 24 shots, including 13 on goal, to Winchester Thurston’s 19 shots and 11 on goal. Each team took four shots in the first sudden-death overtime, with two on goal for the Spartans and three for the Bears.

With nine minutes remaining in the second overtime, McConnellsburg attacked in Winchester Thurston’s defensive end. Laynee Hendershot intercepted the ball from a Bears defender and played the ball to Gordon, who tapped it back before making a run toward goal. Hendershot sent the ball ahead, and Gordon collected it 12 yards out, beat her defender and scored one-on-one against the goalkeeper. Gordon finished with one goal and 12 shots, including six on goal. Goalkeeper Aliyah Ritter made 15 saves.

Game totals:  — 1 goal, 30 shots, 16 shots on goal, 1 assist, 3 corners, 15 goalkeeper saves, 7 fouls and 6 free kicks. Winchester Thurston — 0 goals, 19 shots, 11 shots on goal, 4 corners, 13 goalkeeper saves, 6 fouls and 7 free kicks.

The Spartans (20-0-1, 21-0-1 overall) will face District 10 top seeded Seneca (16-3) on Nov. 14, with the location and time to be determined. Winchester Thurston ends its season at 13-5.

Game Summary:

                                               1    2   OT1  OT2         F

Winchester Thurston   0    0     0        0     —   0

McConnellsburg            0    0     0       1      —   1