Mifflinburg takes soccer twin-bill from Central Mountain
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – Mifflinburg brought its two varsity soccer teams to Malinak Stadium Wednesday night and went home with two wins. The state-ranked Mifflinburg girls won the opener by a 7-0 score over the Central Mountain girls, while the Mifflinburg boys pulled out a1-0 overtime win over the home team.
The lid-lifter saw the Lady Wildcat, coming off a tough trip to Altoona the nght before, hosting the fifth best team in the state. Mifflinburg (17-1) came in looking to finish their regular season campaign on the front foot. The Lady Wildcats were trying to rebound from a tough night before but couldn’t get their foot on the ball long enough to stop the constant pressure of the visiting team. The Lady Wildcats worked hard on and off the ball but had a difficult time matching up with the Lady Wildcats of Mifflinburg. Two goals at the end of both halves made the final score line seem a lot more then it was as the home side did the best they could against a team that will see much success during the post season play.
The Lady Wildcats, now 3-13, will step on the Malinak Stadium turf one more time this season, hosting Shikellamy at 11 a.m. Saturday. The Junior Wildcats will follow directly after the varsity game for their last game of the season. Head Coach Ryan Veltri said, “Come and join the seniors one last time to celebrate a great season.”
The boys’ game followed and it was as tight as could be. Scoring chances were few for both teams. Shots on goal totaled one for Central Mountain and two for Mifflinburg in regulation play. In overtime the pace quickened and longer passes were utilized on both sides. Ultimately, at the 3:51 mark of the first overtime period, Mifflinburg sophomore Collin Dreese was able to get the ball by Wildcat goalkeeper Clay Confer who initially slipped a bit on the turf.
Central Mountain had to play the final minutes of regulation and the overtime without forward Nate Brinker who left the game with an injury.
The loss put Central Mountain at 6-12 on the regular season but the squad is hopeful of securing a berth in the District 6 AAA playoffs as the Wildcats picked up the bulk of their wins in the second half of the season.
On a side note, the soccer programs welcomed West Branch Soccer Club youth girls and boys soccer players at half time. As CM girls’ coach Veltri said, “It is impossible to say that watching them take the field and run after the ball, under the lights, doesn’t bring a smile to your face! It is extremely important to continue to create a bridge between our local youth programs and our school teams. We are moving in the right direction!”
Also participating Wednesday were Central Mountain students Kaylee Rupert, Madi Meeker and Tanner Williamson. Members of the Central Mountain media class, they interviewed soccer players between games and joined Wildcat announcer Abe Stauffer as part of the streaming on therecord-online.