Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

First Posted: 10/25/2014

SCOTT TWP. — Everything seemed to be going Meyers’ way in the District 2 Class A quarterfinal against Lakeland.

The Mohawks’ defense was playing their best game of the season.

When starting keeper David Torres left with an injury in the second half, backup and starting defender Adam Casey didn’t miss a beat.

Heck, head coach Jack Nolan even pried one of his top scorers Gino Setta away from his kicking duties for the Meyers football team as the No. 11 seed was thinking huge upset.

At the end of the day though, it took just one play executed to perfection by the Chiefs to end 11th-seeded Meyers’ bid at history in a 1-0 victory.

With the clock winding down in the second overtime period as the teams were starting to plan for a penalty kick shootout, the Lakeland offense pulled Casey to his right. He couldn’t hang on to a previous shot and somehow Wesley Tuffy slipped through the crowd to Casey’s left and slotted the game-winning goal with 30 seconds remaining to give the Mohawks a heart-breaking defeat.

“I’m very proud. I thought we went toe-to-toe with them,” Meyers coach Jack Nolan said.

Still, Meyers salvaged an overall down season with one upset victory in the playoffs before nearly logging another in a 6-12 season.

“Moral victories suck, but what are you gonna do,” Nolan said. “I can’t ask for anything more. I’m very proud of my kids, but my heart is breaking for them.”

The third-seeded Chiefs advance to Tuesday’s semifinals and will play second-seeded Wyoming Seminary on Tuesday at Nesbitt Stadium at 6 p.m.

Meyers, trying to be the first double-digit seed to ever reach the district semifinals, showed Lakeland something no opponent saw in the Mohawks all season, not scoring in the game’s first 109 minutes, nearly making it 110 minutes without giving up a goal. Every team scored at least once on Meyers this season.

But Saturday was totally different. Junior defenders Austin Bynon, Keith Ostrowski and senior John Mendoza led the defense as did Casey before he was called upon to move to keeper. It seemed like every time the undefeated Chiefs (11-0-2) got deep into Mohawks territory one of those defenders was right there to block a shot.

Several times a Lakeland direct kick was ricocheted out of play or just stymied by the unit. The Chiefs also came up empty on eight corner kicks. When Meyers did allow a shot, Torres made nine saves and Casey added three more.

“Probably the best I’ve seen my defense play all year,” Nolan noted. “It took a little out of our game when we had to replace Adam at the top, but that’s part of the game and next guy in has gotta step it up. I’m proud of the way the defense played.”

The Lakeland defense was just as stout only allowing seven shots to the Mohawks, who saw some key opportunities but couldn’t connect, including many by Setta, who was a big contributor in the game making play after play.

“It was back and forth. Both teams had ample opportunity and we just couldn’t finish,” Nolan said. “Which was the story of our season.”

Meyers will be back looking for a similar run next season with a large group returning as there are only two seniors on the roster.

Cougars top Black Knights

ARCHBALD — Despite not scoring early in Saturday’s District 2 Class 2A quarterfinal, Lake-Lehman got off to a strong start against Valley View.

As it turned out, that was a big boost for the Cougars in a 3-0 win as they advanced to Tuesday’s semifinals and will travel to North Pocono, a victor over Nanticoke on Saturday via second round of penalty kicks.

The Black Knights had four shots on goal early and controlled possession for the first 17 minutes of the game. Cougars keeper Mike Gallagher made two big saves in that span to give the Cougars momentum they wouldn’t give up.

“We kinda came out a little flat in the beginning because we haven’t played them and we had to check out how they played,” Valley View coach Peco Milenkovski said. “Mike’s been a solid goalie for us this year. In the beginning of the game he saves a couple good shots and I think that gave them a little momentum. And from there, the rest was history.”

Tony Clapper netted the first goal of the game connecting on a rebound shot to sneak one by Lehman keeper Collin Masters, who made eight saves, as the Cougars took a 1-0 lead into the break.

Just nine minutes into the second half, another rebound by Valley View (11-3-1) reached the back of the net. This time, Connor Harrison finished the play for a 2-0 Cougars lead.

The Black Knights looked frustrated after that goal and weren’t the same the rest of the way. Clapper finished the scoring with a header and the clock reading 2:00.

***

Lakeland 1, Meyers 0, 2OT

Meyers`0`0`0`0`—`0

Lakeland`0`0`0`1`—`1

Second Overtime — 1. Lakeland, Wesley Tuffy :30

Shots — MEY 7; LAKE 23. Saves — MEY 12 (David Torres 9, Adam Casey 3); LAKE 3 (Terrance Arendt). Corner kicks — MEY 1; LAKE 8.

Valley View 3, Lake-Lehman 0

Lake-Lehman`0`0`—`0

Valley View`1`2`—`3

First half — 1. VV, Tony Clapper 8:40. Second half — 2. VV, Connor Harrison 31:40; 3. VV, Clapper (Kyle Davies) 20:00.

Shots — LL 9; VV 15. Saves — LL 8 (Collin Masters); VV 5 (Mike Gallagher). Corner kicks — LL 3; VV 3.