By Kenny Varner

WINGATE – The newly crowned District 6 Class AA Juniata boys soccer team opened its 2024 PIAA State playoff campaign against District 3 Class AA runner ups Trinity.

Despite a hard fought effort by the Indians, Trinity came out victorious on the night winning 7-1.

Juniata goalie Wyatt Dessin finished with 14 saves.

Though the season came to end, the history they made along the way won’t soon be forgotten.

“First off, I have to compliment Trinity. They are well coached. They did really well against us,” said Juniata coach Jared Byler. “I couldn’t be any more prouder of this team. The list of history they have made in Juniata soccer this year is a mile long. I can sit here and go through it we’d be talking forever.”

“We’re a small school district. We’ve only got two or three towns to pick and choose from. I couldn’t be anymore proud that within our district bounds we were able to do what we’ve done and get into a state playoff game against a team that has limitless boundaries. They can go out here and there and pull kids in from wherever. So for our kids to come out and play the way they did tonight, I know they are going to be disappointed with the loss. But they need to be proud of the records and the accomplishments they set for our program and playing against a limitless boundary team and give them all they could handle.

In the first, the Shamrocks took the ball down into the Indians territory and started with a shot and a goalie save by Wyatt Dessin.

Juniata returned the favor, taking their first possession into the Shamrock area. Authur Hazard smoked a shot that was stopped by Trinity goal keeper Kieran Finegan.

Trinity posted their first goal of the game at 32-minute on a Shane Ashman unassisted goal.

Juniata tried to find a chunk in the Shemrock’s defense but could not find it.

Trinity scored again at 20:34 on a Brendan Palmer unassisted shot, upping the lead in the game to 2-0.

Seven minutes later, John Paul Breen also posted an unassisted at 13:10.

The Shamrocks added one last goal before the first half ended when  Ryan Cook, blasted a shot that hit the side bar and into the goal on an unassisted goal at 6:38.

However, Juniata refused to go away quietly as Ricky Guante pushed things up field and through the Shamrock defenders and smoked an unassisted goal at 3:16.

Juniata tried to cut into the lead in the second but the Shamrock’s defense refused to give any ground.

Trinity continued to push the ball down into the Juniata side of the field.

Noah Dominguez unassisted, pick the Shamock’s fifth goal at 33:32. Cook hit his second goal of the game sending an unassisted goal at 19:14.

Rounding out the Trinity scoring was Anthony Matzoni from Ashman, at 15:24.

Though the season came to end for the Indians, their coach said their seniors legacy will be something that his players can take with them.

“We’re going to be graduating five or six starters. But the future is very bright here. We have a lot of young talent that is look forward to coaching and I know my coaching staff does too,” said Byler. “But on the flipside, we are really sad and really disappointed to see our seniors move on. Our seniors leave this program with two district championships, two state tournament appearances and those guys were a huge part of that.”