BRETT R. CROSSLEY/Talk Williamsport
Muncy’s Alivia Artley clears a ball in a Class A District 4 playoff game against NE Bradford. Artley was crucial to the Indians attack, pushing balls up from midfield and creating chances.
BRETT R. CROSSLEY/Talk Williamsport
Muncy’s Kathrine Ebner controls a ball near midfield during a District 4 Class A playoff soccer game against NE Bradford.
By BRETT R. CROSSLEY
WILLIAMSPORT–A thin foggy layer of mist fell over the field midway through the first half of No. 10 Muncy’s pigtail District 4 Class A soccer game against No. 7 Northeast Bradford and hung over Balls Mills Soccer Complex through most of the night.
The weather did not seem to have any effect on the defenses, which pitched a shutout through regulation to force overtime in the second game of the District 4 Class A playoffs.
Even overtime failed to yield a goal as both teams were forced to resolve the situation through penalty kicks.
It came down to the final kick, which was taken by Kiah Russell, who also stopped three of Muncy’s shots as the keeper.
Russell, who wished Muncy’s keeper good luck in the ultimate show of sportsmanship prior to the attempt, hit a high shot to the upper corner for a 3-2 win on penalty kicks.
“We’ve been playing that most of the year,” Muncy coach Kyle Bowen said of the Indians’ defense. “They do a solid job stopping.”
Penalty kicks are always a tough way to end a game, especially after 110 minutes of play throughout regulation and overtime.
“It’s a tough deal to go through,” Bowen said. “Both teams did their best, but it is what it is. They got one more than us.”
Makenna Snyder stopped two shots with perfect reaction time. She celebrated with her teammates in support, but couldn’t come up with a stop on the final shot.
Snyder played an outstanding game throughout regulation and overtime. She stopped five shots and played balls perfectly to keep the Panthers off the board.
“Our keeper did a fantastic job,” Bowen said. “She made a couple outstanding saves.”
Muncy played a much better first half of overtime, forcing all the shots on goal through the extra 15 minutes.
Bailey Bowen nearly broke the stalemate open with a hard shot on goal that was deflected by NE Bradford’s keeper.
Bailey Bowen recorded Muncy’s first shot on goal when she attempted a low shot in the opening five minutes of the first half. Ashlynn Fowler logged Muncy’s second chance on goal when she collected a ball from Kathrine Ebner. Fowler missed wide on the attempt.
NE Bradford put a flurry together to end the first half.
Katy Jefferson nearly broke through with a high shot to the center of the goal. Moments after her attempt, Erika Vough attempted a shot that forced Makenna Snyder to make a save.
Jefferson also forced a shot in the second half, but failed to break through.
Muncy posted wins in three of its final four games, but one was a forfeit to St. John Neumann.
Regardless of how the Indians qualified for the postseason they did, earning the No. 10 seed with a record of 8-8-1.
No. 7 NE Bradford 0, No. 10 Muncy 0 (NE Bradford advances 3-2 on PKs)
MUN 0 0 0 0-0
NEB 0 0 0 0-0
Goals: None.
Shots: Muncy 6, NE Bradford 7. Shots on goal: Muncy 3, NE Bradford 6. Corners: Muncy 2, NE Bradford 10. Saves: Muncy (Makenna Snyder) 6, NE Bradford (Kiah Russell) 3. Fouls: Muncy 12, NE Bradford 9. Cards: Muncy none. NE Bradford none.
Records: Muncy 8-9-1. NE Bradford 12-7.
Next: No. 7 NE Bradford vs. No. 2 Warrior Run at Midd-West, Saturday
