By Kenny Varner

WINGATE – Two familiar foes met in the opening round of the District 6 Class AA girls soccer playoffs when Bald Eagle hosted Penns Valley with the winner moving on.

Earlier in the season, the Eagles won a very close 2-1 contest over the Rams.

This time it would be the Lady Rams that would pick up the win, topping Bald Eagle 2-0.

For 78 minutes, the two battled in a very defense-laden contest.

But a last minute Penns Valley goalie in the first and a second half opening score, made all the difference in this one. The Rams goals were scored by Ceci Falls and Elle Dinges.

Penns Valley out shot the Eagles 17-14. But Bald Eagle held the advantage in corner opportunities on the night by a 4-3 margin.

Bald Eagle goalie Makayla Spicer finished with six saves while Penns Valley goalie Emma Marks finished with three.

“It’s a shame to end the season that way. These kids were great all year. I enjoyed coaching them. They are a good group of girls,” said Bald Eagle Coach Jared Moore. “They gave a good effort tonight. It’s a shame it turned out this way. Penns Valley is a good team. They give us a good game every time. I wish them the best of luck. They will do well in the playoffs.

In the first half, the two teams went right to work. From the beginning both teams shined on defense.

Penns Valley got its first corner opportunity at the 36-minute mark. However, the shot went wide.

The Rams had its transition game going early. Bald Eagle’s defense was able to recover and shut down the potential scoring threat.

Same could have been said with the Rams defense.

Both teams’ backline were able to keep the game scoreless throughout the first half.

Looking like the game was going to go into the intermission a scoreless tie.

Down under a minute left, Penns Valley had one last push up the field left in them.

Being at the right place at the right time, Falls was able to hit a screamer past Spicer, giving her team the 1-0 advantage at the half.

Coming out of the break, the Rams wasted little time getting back in the scoreboard.

Two minutes in, Dinges got open on the outside and rolled down the field on a breakaway attempt. She was able to put the ball through for a goal, giving her team a little distance.

Bald Eagle took their offense up a notch, pushing the ball numerous times into the Rams territory. Each time they were met with a wall of defenders that would clear the ball, sending the Eagles back empty handed time-after-time.

Despite all the Bald Eagle pressure, the Rams defense never flinched and was able to push back to take the win and advance to the next round.

For the Lady Eagles, the season ended with a 13-win season.

In earlier boys soccer action, Penns Valley was also successful winning 2-0 over the Huntingdon Bearcats in opening night action.

Penns Valley 2, Bald Eagle Area 0

PV.      1 1 – 2

BEA    00 – 0

Scoring

First half

PV – Ceci Falls unassisted, 0:34.

Second half

PV – Elle Dinges unassisted, 38:31.

Shots on goal: PV –   17. BEA –  14.

Corners: PV –   4. BEA –  3.

Saves: PV –  Emma Marks 3. BEA –  Makayla Spicer 6.