By Kenny Varner
WINGATE – Championship Bound!
The MIfflin County girls soccer team used a four-goal evening by Aubrey Strohecker along with a strong defensive effort, launching them into the District 6 Championship game and a meeting with Altoona, sporting a 4-0 victory over a feisty State College team.
“That was the best 80 minutes of soccer we played all year. It came at the right time. We put it all together,” said MIfflin County coach Barrett Knepp. “They dominated today.”
State College played it very close in the first half, allowing just one goal in the stanza.
However, in the second the Huskies slowly wore down the Little Lions and despite being double teamed for much of the contest, Strohecker was able to still find her way to the goal three more times.
“She dangerous every time she has the ball. No matter what they do to try to defend against her,” said Knepp. “It makes us hard to defend.”
In the first, both teams went back and forth trying to take the momentum.
Mifflin County made a strong push early on but State College was able to turn the Huskies away numerous times.
The same was the case when the Little Lions made their runs.
Led by the clutch play of goalie Bailey McNitt, the backline consisting of Kirsten Milliron, MacKenzie Peachey, Hailie Alexander-Yohn and Ella Kammerer.
They frustrated the Litttle Lions offense all evening, allowing only five shots on goal for the entire game.
Both teams had their chances early as their transition games started to heat up.
After a strong defensive battle for much of the period, MIfflin County would end the stalemate.
Picking up the ball at the midfield mark, Strohecker fought through two defenders and shot at the goalie and it bounced off her, putting the ball back into Strohecker’s possession and she caught the goalie out of position and sent it home, making it a 1-0 ball game.
Despite a couple close calls by the MIfflin County offense, the half ended with the Lady Huskies leading 1-0.
Coming into the second, the Huskies upped the pressure and used its offense as a strong defense as well, keeping the ball constantly in the Little Lions end of the field.
Again, Strohecker was able to secure the ball and his a blistering shot, running to her left and hitting the ball to the top right hand corner of the net, giving the Huskies some breathing room.
Rounding out things for MIfflin County, two goals coming off corner opportunities. Both times Brynn Knepp was able to get the ball inside to a waiting Strohecker, resulting in two goals and securing a hat trick.
The Huskies will be back in action next Wednesday as they travel to Altoona to play the Mountain Lions for the District 6 Class 4A title.
Mifflin County 4, State College 0
SC 0 0 – 0
MC 1 3 – 3
First half
MC – Aubrey Strohecker unassisted, 13:27
Second half
MC -Strohecker unassisted, 29:20
MC – Strohecker from Brynn Knepp, 22:11.
MC – Strohecker from Brynn Knepp, 2:53.
Shots on goal: SC -4, MC – 15.
Corners: SC – 1, MC -8.
Saves – Megan Maher (SC) 5, Bailey McNitt (MC) 4.