Wildcats pull away after half
March 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment
There’s a good chance that anyone involved with the Carlisle girls’ soccer team doesn’t think too kindly of the Keiser family after yesterday afternoon’s game.
After all, it was senior Megan Keiser and younger sister Nikki that plagued the Carlisle girls’ soccer team on both offense and defense Tuesday at Wilson Middle School.
The elder Keiser scored four goals for Mechanicsburg, Nikki nabbed 12 saves and the Wildcats turned a one-goal halftime lead into a 7-1 rout of the Thundering Herd.
“(Megan Keiser) obviously has great athleticism,” said Mechanicsburg head coach Tony Lougee. “She’s composed this year, she missed on her first breakaway but didn’t let it rattle her.”
After missing the goal wide-left on a break early in the first half, the senior forward received a pass from teammate Jodie Zelenky and beat Carlisle goalkeeper Amelia Bressler one-on-one with a nudge to the right corner to put the Wildcats on the board in the ninth minute.
With the wind at their backs, the Thundering Herd countered with a strong offensive series of their own. Less than five minutes after Mechanicsburg’s opening score, Carlisle senior Taylor Suskie connected on a waist-high cross from teammate Emily Martin to tie the game up at 1-1.
With seven first-half shots and two corners, the Herd’s offensive pressure helped keep the game close throughout the first 40 minutes. However, the Wildcats earned the 2-1 halftime advantage in the 32nd minute — Zelenky’s shot on an Alex Brandt pass hooked wide-left, but Megan Keiser deflected the errant shot into the lower left corner of the net for her second goal of the afternoon.
“I thought the second goal in the first half was (the most important),” said Lougee. “We came out and scored against the wind, that was huge.”
With the score still close at the break. Carlisle head coach Greg Clippinger was comfortable with his team’s effort. The offense had out-shot the Wildcats 7-4 and the game could easily have been tied if not for a leaping save by Nikki Keiser on a high ball from Herd senior Cassie Arnold.
“At halftime I thought we played a reasonably good game,” said Clippinger. “But they scored right away (in the second half)… we tried to adjust in the second half throughout the game.”
Maybe it was the field change, in which Mechanicsburg gained the second-half wind advantage. Maybe it was an increased sense of urgency to put the game away on the Wildcats’ part.
Maybe Megan Keiser’s two first-half goals were just a warm up.
Whatever the reason, Mechanicsburg didn’t waste any time taking the game away from Carlisle in the second half.
In the 42nd minute, Megan Keiser sent a close shot ringing off the crossbar. Before the Herd defense could even react — even before the crossbar itself had stopped ringing — Keiser put a head on her deflection and gave the Wildcats a two-goal cushion.
Less than three minutes later, Bressler’s block on Brandt’s shot deflected loosely in front of the Carlisle goal — a perfect opportunity for Megan Keiser to net her fourth straight goal and cap off a seven-goal, two-game performance to open the 2008 season.
“We’re two games in and I have seven goals, it’s kind of ridiculous,” said the senior forward. “We had the wind in the second half an I cleaned up some (shot deflections).
“I have my sister in goal, it’s nice to play with her and know we have a good goalie behind us.
”Sophomore goalkeeper Nikki Keiser gave her offensive counterparts plenty to feel comfortable about Tuesday. The younger Keiser saved 12 of Carlisle’s 13 total shots and, with the wind at her back in the second half, nearly sent a drop kick the length of the field.
Despite the 7-1 outcome, but coaches felt the scoring spread wasn’t an accurate representation of their teams’ relative abilities.
“I don’t think we’re seven goals better than Carlisle,” said Lougee. “I think it’s a good win but they’re better than that.”
“I think (the Wildcats) possess a little more athletic ability. We have to sort through some things, at times (today) were just tried to plug the dyke,” said Clippinger. “I think our girls will be alright.”
NOTES: Zelenky netted Mechanicsburg’s fifth goal on an assist from Brandt in the 48th minute… freshman midfielder Ali Matisse rounded out the Wildcats’ seven-goal afternoon with back-to-back scores — a header on a Zelenky assist in the 61st minute and on a Zelenky corner in the 65th minute… Zelenky finished with four assists and one goal and Brandt earned three assists… Mechanicsburg took 13 shots in the second half for a game-total 17… Bressler made eight total saves, six in the second half.
By Tom Ash; Sentinel Reporter; tash@cumberlink.comTo read article on Cumberlink.com click here.
Gifts for Gulu
March 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The Mechanicsburg Girl’s soccer team and staff had an opportunity to give back. The girl’s and coaches participated in the second annual “Gifts for Gulu” day at Lynchburg College. The purpose of this event according to the Sports Outreach Institute which helps to put on the annual event, “is to assist traumatized children and individuals living in the war zones of Northern Uganda by Building A New Foundation that will provide for the urgent needs of these people.” The girls had the opportunity to participate in two scrimmages and donate old soccer uniforms which were no longer being worn. The coaches then had the opportunity to play in a benefit game between the Charlotte Eagles and the Lynchburg Area All-Stars.To view the Gifts for Gulu flyer click here.
All-star soccer games set for Shippensburg
November 7, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
From staff reports
The 27th annual Central Pennsylvania Scholastic All-Star Games, contests featuring senior soccer players from the Mid-Penn Conference and several independent Cumberland, Franklin and Fulton County high schools, will be held Sunday at Shippensburg University’s Robb Complex.
Sponsored by the Franklin County chapter of PIAA soccer officials and the Shippensburg soccer booster club, proceeds from the event benefit local youth soccer programs. Plus, the second annual Thomas Stouffer Award will be presented between games.
The Stouffer Award, a $500 scholarship, will be presented to a Franklin or Fulton County senior player who best exemplifies soccer talent, academic success and leadership skills.
Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for students.
In the 2 p.m. opener, the Black team (players from the Mid-Penn Capital Division, Cumberland Valley Christian, Fannett-Metal and Shalom Christian) will meet the White team (players from the Mid-Penn Colonial and Capital Divisions, Bible Baptist and McConnellsburg).
In the 4 p.m. nightcap, the Blue team (players from Chambersburg, Waynesboro, Carlisle, Cedar Cliff, Cumberland Valley, Gettysburg and Mechanicsburg) will meet the Red team (players from Central Dauphin, CD East, Hershey, Lower Dauphin, Red Land, Middletown and Susquehanna Twp.).
Rosters follow:
BLACK — Goalkeeper: Stephen Carroll, Cumberland Valley Christian; Jon Zook, Greencastle. Defender: Andrew Cordell, Greencastle; Jordan Gembe, Greencastle; Jake Wenger, Trinity. Midfielder: Chad Bernecker, James Buchanan; Matt Gilson, Trinity; Josh Higman, Greencastle; Neil Hill, Fannett-Metal; Kris Potter, James Buchanan. Forward: Dakota Bair, Fannett-Metal; Mac Frederick, Greencastle; Josh Hoy, Camp Hill; Zach Myers, Shalom Christian; Alex Piscioneri, Trinity; Evon Wiestling, Greencastle; Cory Zimmerman, James Buchanan. Coach: Mike Dent, James Buchanan.
WHITE — Goalkeeper: Andrew Figueiredo, Boiling Springs. Defender: Aaron Birt, Northern; Dexter Horst, Shippensburg; John Lange, Big Spring; Danny Oyler, Boiling Springs; Zach Thurston, Big Spring; Caleb Washabaugh, McConnellsburg. Defender/midfielder: Andrew Quinchia, Northern. Midfielder: Cory Baer, Shippensburg; Eric Colledge, West Perry; Stefan Hasse, Big Spring; Tyler Jumper, Big Spring; Matt Sheibley, Northern. Midfielder/forward: Zane Barrick, Susquenita; Colin Murray, Northern. Forward: Patrick Davis, Shippensburg; Andy Heffner, Bible Baptist. Coach: Randy Rich, Boiling Springs.
BLUE — Goalkeeper: Sam Burkholder, Mechanicsburg. Defender: Michael Celius, Gettysburg; Ryan Flake, Cumberland Valley; Steve Fowler, Mechanicsburg; Alex Swartz, Chambersburg. Midfielder: Greg Bretz, Mechanicsburg; Sean Collier, Chambersburg; Harun Davood, Cumberland Valley; Isaac Hancock, Gettysburg; Andy Howe, Cumberland Valley; Brody Ponder, Cedar Cliff; Josh Reffner, Waynesboro. Midfielder/forward: Alec Longarzo, Carlisle; Sean McClain, Cumberland Valley. Forward: Matt Heffernan, Cedar Cliff; Jean Carlo Jimenez, Chambersburg; Gaetano Panuccio, Mechanicsburg. Coach: Jason Christine, Cedar Cliff.
RED — Goalkeeper: Clayton Master, Susquehanna Twp; Drew Quenzer, CD East. Defender: Jason Machemer, Susquehanna Twp; Alex Russell, CD East; Dan Whitman, Middletown. Defender/midfielder: Brian Scott, Lower Dauphin; Lucas Starsinic, Central Dauphin. Midfielder: Gary Clark, CD East; Alex Mendoza, Red Land; Kosta Patsiopoulos, Central Dauphin; Jovan Phillips, Hershey; Deon Rehm, Red Land; Jordan Torres, Red Land; Chris Wagner, CD East. Midfielder/forward: Braden Gross, Central Dauphin; Fernando Navarro, CD East. Forward: Kyle Patrick, Hershey; Garret Pettis, Lower Dauphin. Coach: Brandon Ramsey, CD East.
District III Consolation Game
November 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The Varsity Boys Soccer Team will be playing Central Dauphin in the District III Consolation Round on Saturday, November 3 at 7:30 p.m. The game will be played at Northeastern High School. Tickets prices as set by District III are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students.
Directions to Northeastern: Take I-83 South to Exit 24 (Emigsville Exit). Turn left at the traffic light at end of exit ramp and proceed to second traffic light making a left turn onto N. George Street (Rt. 181 North). Proceed straight ahead to the 5th traffic light at the square in Manchester and make a right turn onto Maple Street (HWY 921), go one block and make a left onto High Street. Travel approximately ½ mile to the high school.
Red Land pulls away from Mechanicsburg, heads to district final
November 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
By Jeffrey Kauffman
Last updated: Thursday, November 1, 2007 12:54 AM EDT
Sports Reporter
Red Land hasn’t been in the District 3 soccer championships since 1988 — back before these Red Land players were even born. But this Patriots squad will attempt to win its first district title Saturday night after disposing of the Mechanicsburg Wildcats 3-1 in the semifinal round.
The Patriots (20-1-2 overall) extended their unbeaten streak to 20 games and will face Manheim Township, which has won three consecutive district soccer championships. The Streaks boast a record of 22-2-1 and edged Central Dauphin 1-0 in the opener at HersheyPark Stadium on Wednesday.
“We did not want to have to worry about qualifying for states on Saturday,” said Patriots head coach Eric “Chalkie” White. “Now we can go into Saturday and just play. No one expects us to win so we have nothing to lose.”
“I know a lot of the Manheim players from my club team so I know it is going to be a good game,” said Red Land senior Jordan Torres. “We have a very good team and we are solid at every part and we are unselfish. We just want to keep playing well.”
The two winners have guaranteed themselves a spot in the PIAA state playoffs, but Mechanicsburg and Central Dauphin (16-6-1) will square off in Saturday’s district consolation game — the winner of which qualifies for states, and the loser is done for the year.
Alex Mendoza nearly gave the Patriots the lead just moments into the first half when he took a feed from Jordan Torres, but his shot was knocked away by Wildcat keeper Sam Burkholder.
Midfielder Greg Bretz gave Mechanicsburg life when he turned the corner after a nasty step-over move, but his serve from the baseline was knocked wide of the net.
Torres gave the Patriots a one-goal lead in the eleventh minute when he gathered a dish from Mendoza, settled it and placed it into the back of the net. The Wildcats missed a chance to clear the ball, and Red Land jumped on that opportunity.
Gaetano Panuccio was given precious little room to operate by the Patriots defense, as Andrew Innerst and Taylor Eisenhauer surrounded him at every move.
Mendoza would tally the second goal on a nice give-and-go play from Tyler Fettrow. Fettrow’s return service threaded the keyhole and Mendoza was able to toe-poke it past Burkholder for the two-goal advantage.
Mechanicsburg (16-6-2) had a couple chances, but none proved dangerous for Red Land. Matt Steele took a shot from about 18 yards out that bounced to Patriot keeper Ben Diller.
Diller totalled three saves in the game, but surrendered a goal in the final four minutes of the first half. Bretz served a ball to the chest of Panuccio who appeared to trap it to his feet and turned and fired the ball past Diller to cut the deficit to 2-1.
It was the first goal allowed by the Patriots in their last five games.
“(Mechanicsburg) is dangerous,” said Torres. “To tell you the truth, I knew Panuccio but didn’t know a lot of the other kids and they played pretty well out there. I don’t know where they came from.”
“Panuccio is dangerous and we tried to double him everywhere,” said White. “We let him turn with the ball and get a shot.
“Mechanicsburg is a good team and we talked about not looking past them. The two goals early gave us a chance to relax and we gave up the goal when we relaxed.”
Red Land tallied its third goal with only 12 minutes left in the game as Deon Rehm was tapped a ball past Burkholder for the final margin.
“This was the ultimate,” said Torres. “(The Wildcats) beat us last year so this was our payback this year.”
“Our kids played well,” said Mechanicsburg head coach Tony Lougee. “To dig out of a 2-0 hole is difficult because (the Patriots) are such a good offensive team, you can’t afford to give up goals. We just didn’t get any good chances. The four guys up front are very dangerous and they play well together.
“We moved the ball pretty well. We weren’t dominated tonight, but now we get ready for Central Dauphin on Saturday.”
Central Dauphin and Mechanicsburg will play at Northeastern High School in York on Saturday.
Red Land finds way into states
November 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Patriots meet Manheim Twp. in district final Saturday
Thursday, November 01, 2007BY MICHAEL BULLOCK
For The Patriot-News
While 1988 has been popping into Red Land soccer chatter the past few weeks, every time Patriots coach Eric White brings up the subject all he gets are puzzled looks.
Not to mention a fairly standard response.
Well, since White’s club collared Red Land’s first state playoff berth since 1988 by decking Mechanicsburg 3-1 Wednesday night at Hersheypark Stadium, that milestone year is going to keep coming up in plenty of conversations. In hallways. In pizza shops. Wherever.
Since the Patriots also rode into the District 3-AAA title game — the 1988 club was the last Red Land team to accomplish that — that special connection to the team thrilling plenty of northern York Countians continues to grow tighter.
Jordan Torres, Alex Mendoza and Deon Rehm collected goals for the Patriots (20-1-2), who extended their unbeaten string to 20 games. They’ll go for No. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium, where White’s club will square off against three-time defending champ Manheim Twp.
Manheim Twp. (22-2-1) downed Central Dauphin 1-0 in the other 3-AAA semi.
CD (16-6-1) and Mechanicsburg (16-6-2) will have another chance to reach states Saturday (7:30), when they meet in the third-place game at Northeastern. Only the winner moves on.
Meanwhile, a Red Land club that captured its first Mid-Penn divisional title (Commonwealth) since 1988 and landed its first Mid-Penn player of the year (Torres) since 1988 is in.
For the first time … since 1988.
“These kids are like, ‘Coach, we weren’t even born yet,’” White said. “For the last two decades, we’ve been talking about 1988. These guys are what someone’s going to be talking about in 20 years — 2007. Back then it was [Mid-Penn Conference player of the year] Brian Marshall.
“Now it’s going to be Jordan Torres, Mendoza and Deon.”
Mendoza set up the first Patriots score, creating space in the right side of the penalty area with some dandy dance steps before finding Torres alone at the edge of the six. Given an opportunity to settle the ball, Torres took a breath before polishing off a left-footed strike with 11:33 gone.
Nearly 11 minutes later, Tyler Fettrow squeezed a ball through traffic that Mechanicsburg’s Steve Fowler could not clear. When the loose ball wound up on Mendoza’s right foot, he wasted little time slotting a shot past Wildcats keeper Sam Burkholder (3 saves).
“It’s just hard to fall down 2-0 with that much time left,” Wildcats coach Tony Lougee said.
Mechanicsburg managed to halve its deficit with 3:49 left in the opening half, as Gaetano Panuccio chest-trapped a well-placed Greg Bretz ball down to his feet before popping it past the Patriots’ Ben Diller (2 saves). It was the first goal surrendered by Red Land in four-plus games.
“I think that goal gave us new life,” said White, whose club dropped a 4-0 decision to the Wildcats in last year’s round of 16. “Hey, this game’s not over. We’ve got to play.”
Though both sides exchanged scoring chances in the second half, Red Land finally tacked on an insurance score with 12:21 left when Torres slotted a ball through traffic that Rehm gathered on the second try. An instant later, the ball was sitting in the back of the net.
The Patriots were moving on.
“Our main priority was getting into that next level,” White said. “We kind of took the pressure off ourselves, because now we’re into states. We didn’t want to have to deal with that on Saturday.”
Obviously, Manheim Twp. felt the same way.
The Blue Streaks scored just 3:48 in, as Kevin Wolfe’s finish from about eight yards out was all Dave Ammon’s club needed. Peter Bulat’s pass from the CD end line set up Wolfe’s score.
CD eventually settled in, but the Rams never could pull even. Kenny Fultz launched a laser from about 30 yards out early in the second half, but the Blue Streaks’ Chris Zielinski (4 saves) parried the ball just over the crossbar. Zielinski also denied Justin Garner and Braden Gross later in the half.
Gross’ denied side-volley from a step outside the six came in the final minute.
While the Rams never could get level, sophomore goalkeeper Jonathan Lutz (8 saves) was sensational at the other end.
“Jon’s a good goalkeeper, man,” said CD coach Gregg Davis, whose Rams lost 2-1 to Manheim Twp. on opening night. “When we started to push guys forward, they got some chances in the box. But Jonathan stood tall. He’s a good goalkeeper.”
Regardless, Lutz’s efforts weren’t enough.
“We can play with these teams,” Davis added. “We played this way this year. The reason we played the other 20 games is to convince guys we can play at this level. That’s why we’re here. We’re winners.”
MICHAEL BULLOCK: 255-8124 or mbullock@patriot-news.com
Soccer semifinalists seek payback
October 31, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
BY MICHAEL BULLOCK
For The Patriot-News
Seeking an appropriate theme for the semifinals of the District 3 boys’ soccer tournament?
Payback certainly fits.
Considering four semis are rematches of games that took place a season ago, avenging 2006 setbacks will be on plenty of minds. Tack on a fifth semi featuring two teams that scrapped earlier this season and a prevailing thought stretches further.
Only the Class AA match at Manheim Central High School (5:30) between top-seeded Palmyra (19-3) and No. 5 Susquehannock (15-3-2) carries no historical storyline.
Remember: All four 3-AA survivors have qualified for next week’s state tournament. Only the top three in AAA and A advance.
Hershey (16-5) vs. Manheim Central (20-2) at Susquehanna Twp. H.S. (7:30) is a rematch of last year’s Class AA final, captured 2-1 in overtime by the Barons.
A strong effort by Central’s defensive backfield helped the Barons tame Elco 3-0 in Saturday’s quarters. How that group contends with the Trojans tandem of Kyle Patrick (33 goals, 9 assists) and Mike Kozak (13g, 32a) will be one key.
Red Land (19-1-2) vs. Mechanicsburg (16-5-2) at Hersheypark Stadium (7:30). These teams collided in the 2006 round-of-16, with the Wildcats posting a 4-0 success. Mechanicsburg All-American Bobby Warshaw had three goals in last year’s scrap, but he’s now a Stanford freshman.
Still, perpetual threat Gaetano Panuccio (22g, 7a) netted three scores in Saturday’s 3-2 overtime win over Cumberland Valley.
Deon Rehm (21g, 15a), Mid-Penn player of the year Jordan Torres (13g, 10), Tyler Fettrow (12g, 11a), Michael Urich (12g, 4a) and Alex Mendoza (7g, 6a) fuel unselfish Red Land, unbeaten in its last 19 and unscored upon in its last four.
Central Dauphin (16-5-1) vs. Manheim Twp. (21-2-1) at Hersheypark Stadium (5:30). These perennially powerful sides met on opening night, with CD falling 2-1 to the three-time defending 3-AAA champs at Cumberland Valley.
Turbo-charged Rams striker Braden Gross (17g, 6a) can cause myriad problems. Plus, CD’s backfield of Justin Garner, Steven Gartner, Lucas Starsinic and Harry Snyder must remain patient against a possession-minded group with an assortment of attacking types.
Camp Hill (16-5) vs. Reading Holy Name (12-6-1) at Manheim Central H.S. (7:30) is a rematch of a 2006 Class A quarterfinal claimed in penalty kicks (8-7) by the Blue Jays.
Though junior heavy, the Lions still feature plenty of players with long memories. Camp Hill’s Ian Nisley (21g, 4a) was Mid-Penn Capital player of the year, but Neil Gallagher (10g, 7a), Nick Kline (6g, 7a) and Josh Hoy (11g, 8a) are capable finishers, too.
Halifax (21-1) vs. Antietam (15-6) at Susquehanna Twp. H.S. (5:30). Last season, Halifax dropped a 3-1 decision to Antietam’s Mounts. Late scores from Corey Hertzog and Jammie Smith decided it.
Hertzog, whose second-half score Saturday finished Trinity 1-0, continues to wreak havoc. Reigning Tri-Valley League most valuable player Brad Kerstetter (22g, 16a), who pocketed both goals in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Biglerville, catalyzes the Wildcats.
MICHAEL BULLOCK: 255-8124 or mbullock@patriot-news.com
Mechanicsburg still owns Cumberland Valley
October 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Sports Reporter
HARRISBURG — Gaetano Panuccio made sure Cumberland Valley wouldn’t extract revenge on his team.
Thanks to a hat trick from Panuccio, Mechanicsburg slipped past Cumberland Valley, 3-2, in the quarterfinals of the District 3-AAA boys’ soccer tournament at Central Dauphin’s Landis Field. Two weeks ago the Wildcats beat CV, 2-1.
“ This was huge,” Panuccio said. “I couldn’t do this without my team. It starts in the back with Chris White, Steve Fowler, Will Laubach and Garrett Murphy. Plus, Sam (Burkholder) had a great game and has kept us in every game this year. We have (Greg Bretz) and Cort (Hutchinson) in the middle and all I have to do is finish them.
“It is all about the team effort.”
“ We always seem to catch Cumberland Valley and they usually get the best of us,” Lougee said. “We have had a tough week with Gettysburg and then a tough Hempfield team and now Cumberland Valley. I think it shows the type of heart this team has to get the three results we did this week.
Panuccio’s game-winner came with 3:34 left in the match as he ran onto a loose ball that bounced around a bit after the initial Will Laubach throw and flicked it right-footed past CV keeper Vish Arya and into the net, setting off a celebration.
With the win, the Wildcats guaranteed themselves at least two more games. Mechanicsburg (16-5-2) faces Red Land, a 1-0 winner over Wilson on Saturday, Wednesday night at a site and a time to be determined in the semifinals.
For the Eagles (11-10-2), it brought an end to a frustrating season against an arch-rival.
“We had a really good group of seniors this year,” CV coach Matt Billman said. “This team went through a lot. When we were 4-7-1, the seniors just took over and I really wanted one more game for them. I am very proud of them for getting back to this level again this year. These seniors are special kids.”
The same can be said for Panuccio, who worked through some adversity to score the game-winner.
“I was trying to hit it with my left foot but I was trying to cut it back and the right foot was in the way,” Panuccio said. “This is a real rivalry game. Coach (Tony) Lougee does such a good job of preparing us and we are a real family out there. We played well as a team tonight.”
Saturday night’s game, between familiar opponents, was eerily familiar the game from two weeks ago as the Wildcats jumped out to a 2-0 halftime advantage.
Mechanicsburg junior striker John Arnold injured an ankle one minute into the game and didn’t return.
Both team had chances early but shots were hit wide or over the top. Panuccio had two headers over the top, while the Eagles’ best opportunity was shot by Niko Corado, which deflected off a Wildcat defender, forcing Burkholder to sprawl out to grab the carom.
Panuccio scored his first goal in the 34th minute as he gathered a ball from White, spun left and took two dribbles and crossed the ball back into the far corner.
John DeNicola had a great chance moments later as Bretz fed a through ball that Arya snagged off DeNicola’s foot.
Mechanicsburg added to the lead a minute later as Panuccio again turned left and slotted a ball into the far right corner for the two goal lead.
Arya saved the Eagles deficit from ballooning to three goals as he slid into shot by Andrew Bohn, who was gathering flip from Panuccio over the defense. Arya read it perfectly and smothered it as Bohn went to hit it.
The Eagles started to gather steam in the second half and had a couple of chances but Burkholder was there to snag a header and a cross.
CV took advantage of a rare Wildcat mistake and Corado was able to knock one past Burkholder to close the deficit.
Cumberland Valley responded quickly and tied the game, 2-2, several minutes later in the second half, getting its goal on a questionable penalty kick. There was a collision on the edge of the box and two players went down. The outside referee never hesitated and awarded a penalty kick. Jeff Gring nailed it to bring the contest even.
Mechanicsburg had the better chances over the final fifteen minutes but could not solve Arya.
The Wildcats dominated in overtime and finally got that golden goal.
“We played well the first seven or eight minutes of the second half but give Cumberland Valley credit, they are a good team,” Lougee said. “Our kids came back well.”
“ We are ready for anybody that we play. It all starts with heart and this team has a lot of it,” Panuccio said. “Bretz and Chris White just make plays all over the field. They set the tone for this team.”
Panuccio lifts Wildcats
October 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Sunday, October 28, 2007
BY MICHAEL BULLOCK
For The Patriot-News
As he watched a throw-in sail over his head, Gaetano Panuccio did what his instincts told him to do: Get in position for a rebound or a fortuitous bounce.
Since the ball hopped his way, we’ll let him describe what happened next.
“I just stuck my right foot out and tried to smack it in there,” Panuccio said.
“Luckily, it went in.”
Panuccio’s goal with 11:26 gone in overtime, his third of a wonderful game, lifted Mechanicsburg to a 3-2 victory over Cumberland Valley in the quarterfinal round of the District 3-AAA boys’ soccer tournament Saturday night at breezy Landis Field.
Up next for Panuccio & Co. is a date with second-seeded Red Land in the back end of a twinbill Wednesday night at Hersheypark Stadium.
Niko Corado and Jeff Gring collected second-half scores — the latter with 17 minutes gone in the second half — as CV (11-10-2) valiantly rallied from a 2-0 deficit for the second consecutive 3-AAA outing. Unlike Thursday at Warwick, this time the Eagles fell short.
“To get back to this game, with everything we went through this year, I’m just very, very proud of our seniors,” CV coach Matt Billman said.
“This is arguably the most determined, resilient group we’ve ever had. … They left a great legacy. A lot of teams would have folded when we were 4-7-1.”
A lot of teams would have folded down 2-0, but after surrendering Panuccio’s two first-half scores Billman’s hustling Eagles scrapped back to pull even.
Using some nifty dance-step moves, Corado rolled in CV’s first score before Gring followed with his tying penalty kick.
Once Mechanicsburg’s Sam Burkholder (6 saves) covered Colby Zeger’s rip with just over 18 minutes left in the second half, a well-paced game with plenty of end-to-end action and timely defensive plays began to swing back to the Wildcats (16-5-2).
Panuccio unleashed four terrific chances before regulation ended, but three sailed high or wide. The other was denied by keeper Vish Arya (6 saves).
Guy was just … we chased him a lot of the evening,” Billman said.
“[Panuccio’s] been fantastic [the last two games],” said Mechanicsburg coach Tony Lougee. “He played with a lot of determination and a lot of confidence.
“I can’t say enough about him.”
Or, for that matter, his whole team.
Though Greg Bretz could have won it early in extra time, his effort whistled wide of the left post.
Panuccio might have won it a short time later, but his bicycle kick split the football uprights.
Then, when Will Laubach’s throw from the right boundary sailed into the heart of the penalty area, a hustling Arya tried to punch the ball away. Instead, it went right to Panuccio.
Soon, it was resting in the net.
“This is pride,” Panuccio said. “It’s not only to make it to states or anything, it’s for pride.”
Hempfield’s season comes to stunning end
October 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
By DAVE BYRNE, Correspondent
Lancaster New Era
Published: Oct 26, 2007 9:30 AM EST
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - A speedy offensive attack carried Hempfield to 15 victories this year, but the Black Knights could not have foreseen a speedy exit from the District 3 Triple-A soccer tournament.
Shane Jordan’s score 30 minutes in was the only goal of the game, and Mechanicsburg made it stand for a 1-0 upset victory Thursday night at Hempfield.
“(Shane’s) stepped up the last couple of games and scored some big goals for us,” said Wildcats’ coach Tony Lougee.
Few bigger than this one.
The 14th-seeded Wildcats (15-5-2) braved an early storm of Black Knight opportunities. Once they got the lead, they played eight or nine men behind the ball for the entire second half and left with their second 1-0 win of the tournament.
Mechanicsburg beat Gettysburg by the same score in its play-in game on Monday.
“District game, up 1-0, you try and hold the lead — that’s the name of the game,” said Hempfield coach Brendan Cregan, whose Black Knights entered the tournament as the third seed behind defending District champion Manheim Township and Red Land.
The name of the game, at least for Hempfield, was “unlucky”.
Unleashing the soccer equivalent of a no-huddle, two-minute-drill attack, the Black Knights (15-5-2) pulled Mechanicsburg into a race up-and-down the pitch.
“We knew that’s what the pace was going to be,” Lougee said.
“It was back and forth and that was fine. I trusted our goalkeeper and our defense.”
His trust was sorely tested as the Knights put together six great scoring opportunities in the first 26 minutes.
In the first 6:30, Dan Haldeman was just wide with a shot deflected by ‘Cats keeper Sam Burkholder, Matt DeMascola headed a ball off the upper right corner of the goal post and Burkholder made a great save on Forrest Moul’s shot.
In an extended trip in the offensive third, carrying from the 16th to 18th minutes, Burkholder (10 saves) blanked Andy Hollinger, then leaped to catch Keegan Nauman’s riser.
Finally, in the 26th minute, Moul bent a blast from the left side that struck, yet again, the right corner of the post and crossbar.
“We had some good opportunities, hit some crossbars,” said Cregan. “It just wasn’t meant to be, I guess.”
During the onslaught, Mechanicsburg wasn’t content to sit back and take it.
The Wildcats, two years removed from a District championship game loss to Pequea Valley, returned just three starters from a team that defeated Hempfield 3-0 in last year’s Triple-A quarterfinals.
But two of those three were Gye Panuccio and Shane Jordan, a pair of three-year veterans.
Panuccio, the ‘Cats’ leading scorer with 18 goals, logged as many miles roaming from touchline to touchline Thursday as he did from the goal line to midfield, always alert for an opportunity to go on offense.
He got his chances, the best coming midway through the first half when he bananaed a free kick from the left side, five yards off the top of the box, and hit the crossbar.
Ten minutes later, with both sides slowing visibly, Panuccio sent a ball ahead to Jordan, who carried into the Hempfield box.
Knights’ keeper Kyle King came off his line to challenge Jordan, cutting the angle, but Jordan deflected the ball off King, recovered, and pounded it into the right side of the net.
“He (King) had to come out. He had no choice,” said Cregan. “You’re going to have bounces like that and you hope you’re on the positive end of some of them.”
They didn’t on Thursday.
Despite the Wildcats packing in behind midfield, Hempfield had its chances in the second half — and finished with a 15-10 advantage in shots — just not the quality of those opening rushes.
Hollinger and DeMascola tested Burkholder in the 55th minute and the Knights had five opportunities in the last 4:10, including two headers by Ben Durst, the second coming as the clock rolled zeroes.
CONTACT US: dbyrne@LNPnews.com
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