CM boys’ soccer whitewashes Mifflin County, 3-0
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – Friday night lights is usually reserved for football in central Pennsylvania. But with the football team away and a need for a rescheduled game, Malinak Stadium turned the lights on for the Central Mountain boys’ soccer team Friday night.
District Six foe Mifflin County made the trip to Central Mountain, and the two AAAA teams battled all night, the Wildcats picking up 3-0 win.
Freshman Griffin Confer started the scoring just five minutes into the contest, as he gave chase down the right side towards junior Jack Grieco’s diagonal ball. Confer was first to the ball and placed it into the back of the net. It was Confer’s first career varsity goal, and Grieco’s first assist of the season.
Eight minutes later, junior Zane Cooper intercepted a pass in the attacking third, took two touches towards goal and unleashed a rocket off the back post and in from 25 yards out to make it 2-0. The goal was his second of the season.
With a 2-0 lead at halftime, the talk was on keeping the shutout, and continuing to keep this unselfish attacking soccer going in the second half. The Wildcats were able to add one more.
Junior Peyton Jones was a nuisance all night for the Huskies defense, as he used his speed and skills to create opportunity after opportunity. With about 30 minutes left in the game, his constant pressure was finally rewarded. Confer would intercept a pass in the attacking third and push to goal. A pass to fellow freshman Dylan Bechdel moved the defense around, and Bechdel was able to get the ball to Jones for the finish and the 3-0 final score. The fourth goal of the season for Jones, and Bechdel’s first assist, coming just two days after his first career goal.
Senior Kyle Stahl kept the Huskies at bay for 65 minutes in goal, before passing the final 15 minutes to freshman Jaggar Pardoe. The two combined for the shutout and 4 saves on the night.
The backline saw senior captain Braylon Gentzel returning for his first start back after injury, with Bronson Brungard teaming up with him in the center back position. They worked in tandem very well, communicating and minimizing any chances for the visitors. After an impressive performance Wednesday night, freshman Cole Cooper earned his first start at right back and looked like a seasoned veteran. Lincoln Breon got the start at left back and was able to move up the flank to provide attacking chances throughout the evening. The Wildcats defense also welcomed back Isaiah Brinker after missing five games.
The midfield was run by Pierce Long and Zane Cooper all night, as the two provided support to the wingers and moved the ball extremely well. Freshman Nolan Cross provided some relief in the midfield.
Max Verrelli, Colby Bakaj, and Blake Falk worked hard on the left and right wings, allowing for the Wildcats to keep constant pressure all night. Taylor Heaton, Tim Brinker, and Mycah Carson also received their first varsity minutes of the season, playing well and implementing what they work hard on in practice.
The Wildcat JVs won 1-0, with a one touch finish from Nolan Cross for the goal, from a brilliant Max Verrelli assist.
The Wildcats are back in action on Monday night at home for Senior Night, facing the Jersey Shore Bulldogs at 7 p.m., the contest to be streamed on therecord-online.
MC 0 0 = 0
CM 2 1 = 3
