Boys’ D3 Soccer: Wildcats down Warriors

October 24, 2007

By Jeffrey Kauffman
Last updated: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 3:14 AM EDT
Sports Reporter
Sportsdoor@cumberlink.com

Mechanicsburg and Gettysburg already played two double-overtime games this season so no one expected anything less than that when the squads squared off for the third time in the District 3-AAA play-in contest Monday night at Gettysburg. Gye Pannuccio drilled a penalty kick early in the contest and the Mechanicsburg defense held up their end of the battle to win the contest 1-0.

Mechanicsburg, the 19th seed at 14-5-2, won an earlier contest 2-1 and tied the other game 1-1 as both games went to the second overtime, expected a physical battle and a close contest and that is exactly how the game played out.

“It was a dogfight against them both times this year,” said co-captain Greg Bretz. “We expected the physical contest tonight. We’ve been able to kick it and go get it especially with Gaetano up there. Add the speed of Arnold and DeNicola and when they start to put the ball in the back of the net consistently we are going to real dangerous.”

“You have to give Sam Burkholder credit,” added Chris White. “You don’t hear much about the keepers in the league and he has to be one of the most underrated ones in the league. He was real solid and it is easier to step out when you know he’s behind you. We are comfortable with each other defensively and you know you can challenge a ball because someone will be behind you.”

Both defenses played solid games and allowed very few shots. There were only twelve shots on goal by both teams and Mechanicsburg had six corners to five for Gettysburg.

Wildcat keeper Sam Burkholder was the difference as he stopped all seven shots by Gettysburg, none of which were extremely difficult saves. He was in control and in position throughout the contest. His toughest save was his first in which he bobbled across and had to snap it up before Evan Mudd was able to get a toe on it to knock it in.

Greg Bretz made a strong run down the right touch line and as he went to turn the corner he was taken down. The referee signalled a penalty shot and Pannuccio stepped to the line and drilled his shot low to the right corner only 11 minutes into the contest.

The Wildcats added a second goal as Pannuccio flipped the ball over the defense and Andrew Bohn appeared to run onto the ball and head it past the keeper, but it was disallowed as the referee ruled that Bohn was a hair quick past the defender and his hand also was ahead of the defender.

Both teams’ defenses were anticipating the ball well, stepped to the ball well, and played the ball well out of the air. The Wildcat defense of Will Laubach, Chris White, Garrett Murphy, and Steve Fowler were lights out on the back side. Only one shot was taken within the penalty area and the others were taken from 25 yards or further out.

“I thought we played better defensively throughout the whole game, said Wildcat coach Tony Lougee. “Will, Fowler, Murph and Chris just did a great job in the back and Sam was solid in the goal. None of his saves were phenomenal but he was just solid. We created some opportunities but they didn’t work but that was okay.

“It wasn’t like we sat back on defense as we certainly had some chances. I thought the second goal was a well- developed play but it didn’t count. It is tough to play someone three times and Gettysburg is a good team and well-coached and played hard.”

Gettysburg, the 14th seed, had two big hits from Derik Yager and Michael Celius, but Burkholder was in position to field both of them in the first half.

Cort Hutchinson, Bretz, Shane Jordan and freshman Matt Steele all contributed solid defense and runs in the midfield area.

Pannuccio, John DeNicola, and John Arnold made great runs and had several chances but couldn’t add that second goal that counted.

The Mechanicsburg defense blanketed Bryce Shaffer, the leading scorer for Gettysburg with 21 goals. He was held to one shot and was a non-factor

Gettysburg finishes the season at 12-6-1.

The 14th seeded Wildcats move on to take on the third seeded Hempfield Thursday at Hempfield at 7:00pm.

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