CM boys soccer stuns Raiders in OT
BELLEFONTE, PA – The Central Mountain boys’ soccer team lugged a 6-12 record to Bellefonte Monday night, on paper a decided underdog to the host Raiders in the semifinal round of the District 6 Class 3A playoffs, Bellefonte coming in with an 11-3-1 mark and the number two seed.
But Central Mountain went toe-to-toe with the Raiders through 80 minutes of scoreless soccer in regulation, then struck for the winner at the 8:59 mark in the first overtime period for a 1-0 stunner and a berth in the District 6 finals Wednesday night.
Senior Clayton Foster scored the winner off an assist from fellow senior Evan Cross. It came from 20 yards out and Raider goal-keep Quinn Tooker had virtually no time to react. For Foster it was his sixth goal of the season, none bigger than the game-winner. He later called the winning shot “a dream.”
‘Cat Coach Billy Hook termed his team’s win “unbelievable.” He said, “Bellefonte played awesome and we matched them.” He said Central Mountain knew it needed to show up and did. He saluted the Wildcat group for their showing and said the triumph was something “you dream about.” While Central Mountain had a lesser record, the team had played a predominately District 4 schedule, one with many solid soccer programs.
The game was even through regulation, few opportunities for scoring on either side. Central Mountain had a penalty kick from Nathan Brinker in the first half, but it sailed high. Shots on goal saw the Raiders with five and Central Mountain with three; corner kicks favored Bellefonte, four to one.
But the win went to the Wildcats who travel to Altoona Wednesday for a 6 p.m. championship contest likely with undefeated Hollidaysburg. The Golden Tigers were hosting Penn Cambria in the other semifinal on Monday, the final score not immediately available.
