By Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Wellsboro celebrates Lucas Cuneo’s goal during a PIAA District 4 Class AA quarterfinal soccer game against Montoursville on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at Loyalsock. players.
There was less than a minute left on the scoreboard and Montoursville was doing everything in its power to get the tying goal. With 47 seconds left, the Warriors had the ball just outside the 6-yard box and had a great chance.
Montourville had the ball at the feet of a player and fired a shot towards the goal, tying the game. At least that’s how it seemed to fans and players. However, as soon as the ball crossed the plane, the referee declared it offside, nullifying what could have been an equalizing goal.
When the final horn sounded, Wellsboro players ran toward each other near midfield, while Montoursville players sat or lay down on the Loyalsock lawn, unable to believe their season was over. was.
On a chilly Saturday night, Wellsboro came out on top with a 1-0 win over Montoursville in a truly thrilling game in the District 4 Class AA quarterfinals. With the win, the Green Hornets advance to Tuesday’s semifinals, where they will face Lewisburg at a location and time to be determined.
By Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Wellsboro’s Jude Cuneo chases the ball during Saturday’s game against Montoursville.
The Green Hornets broke through just before the end of the first half. With 32 seconds left, Wellsboro’s Mikaiah Fitch took a shot from 22 yards left that hit the left post, but Montoursville goaltender Mason Frye dove to block it. The result was the next corner kick. With less than 20 seconds left on the clock, Wellsboro scrambled and sent the ball into the corner just outside the six-yard box, where Lucas Cuneo scored a perfectly placed goal for a 1-0 lead.
“There’s no question (that was huge). Knowing that Montoursville was going to be chasing the game at that point, being able to hold the lead going into halftime gives you momentum. It will support.” Wellsboro coach Todd Fitch said. “Especially when we scored right before the first half.”
The Green Hornets have been practicing using set pieces and corner kicks to their advantage all season, and it paid off Saturday as they scored the only goal in a game where shots were hard to come by.
“We have players who can put the ball into the box from corners and we have players who have a finishing mentality and go for goal.” Fitch said. “That combination worked and it clicked at the end of the first half and gave us some momentum going into half-time. Set pieces are important.”
Montoursville played aggressively throughout the second half, trying to push and score the tying goal. The Warriors had three chances in the final 6 minutes, 45 seconds of the game, but couldn’t make any shots.
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent During Saturday’s game, Montoursville’s Quinn Winslow dribbled the ball while Wellsboro’s Jack Bryant defended.
With 6:45 left, Gavin Hawley took a shot from 1 yard left, but it just missed the left post. Two minutes later, Hawley was sent another corner kick wide of the six and headed it home with a great header, but it just missed the top of the post.
“It’s always a battle against Wellsboro. We’ve gotten to play them pretty regularly over the last few years. We feel like the team is very even and very skilled.” Montoursville coach Brian Poling said. “We had a game tonight that went the wrong way for us and we just couldn’t finish it with what was ours. We worked on our corners and all kinds of things and when we were down, we quickly I worked to get back, and I think I did everything I could to get there.”
Wellsboro and Montoursville were familiar with each other coming into Saturday’s game. Montoursville defeated the Green Hornets 3-2 on October 12th.
“The week and a half between playing our last regular season game and playing here was huge. We were able to get together and watch film and do some individual group work.” Fitch said. “I think we closed the scrimmage there and it gave us an opportunity to regroup. I think all of that benefited us.”
In the final minutes, Wellsboro’s defense played well to not give the Warriors an easy look at goal and the possibility of tying the game. Montoursville was held to just four shots on goal all night.
By Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Wellsboro and Montoursville will go for the ball during Saturday’s game.
“There’s something special about the players who play on the last line. They don’t get the stats as often as the players up front, but they’re not the ones scoring the goals, they’re the opponents. I take a lot of pride in stopping them from scoring.” Fitch said. “For them to be able to step up like they have, win passes, step up and get the ball, stand behind guys and receive the ball is really big.”
And while Wellsboro goaltender Camden Thom made just four saves on the night, they all kept Montoursville’s scoreboard at zero and potentially shifted momentum and sent overtime. It was an important save to prevent this.
“He made big saves against a quality team like Montoursville. They’re well-coached and for him to make a save when they can break through? This is a player on the field. It’s a big deal for us too, because when we see the keeper make a save, we know that the keeper is protecting us even though the opponent has broken through.” Fitch said. “Now they have another chance to move forward. That was huge. It was just a whole team effort.”
Like Wellsboro, Montoursville’s last line played well. The Warriors allowed just five shots, and their only goal came off a perfectly executed corner kick.
“They’re really working to find the ball that goes through the middle. We can pick it up and do a little different rotation with the guys in the middle and be a little stronger there and make sure we can turn the ball over. I watched a lot of videos to find out.” Pauling said. “I think we did a great job and we did pretty much everything we wanted to do, other than getting an own goal. … We put the ball out from behind in the corner, which probably wasn’t the best move. But after about 10 seconds he turned to the right and let the ball come in from the corner.
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Gabe Sprouse of Wellsboro defended Bryce Winslow of Montoursville on Saturday.
Wellsboro’s next game is in the district semifinals against Lewisburg, which defeated Warrior Run 1-0 in the district quarterfinals on Saturday. Fitch and the Green Hornets know it will be a tough matchup against a consistently strong program.
“We scrimmaged Lewisburg in the preseason and they’re a perennial power in the district and state. It’s a great opportunity for us and our players are looking forward to it.” Fitch said. “So I think it’s a great opportunity to have a day to prepare on Monday, play on Tuesday, execute it and go out there and go out and compete again. Once the game is over, we’ll see. Dew.”
Wellsboro 1, Montoursville 0
(District 4 AA Class Quarterfinals)
W-Lucas Cuneo, 0:00.16.
By Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Saturday’s game will pit Montoursville against Wellsboro.
Shots: W 5, M 4. Corners: W 2, M 6. Saves: W 4 (Camden Thom), M 4 (Mason Fry).
Record: Montoursville (13-6), Wellboro (15-4). Next game: Tuesday, TBA, Wellsboro vs. Lewisburg in the District 4 Class AA semifinals.
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Wellsboro’s Jack Bryant and Montoursville’s Adam Shearer aim for the ball during Saturday’s game.
By Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Wellsboro’s Mikaiah Fitch (5 (age) and Brayden McCourt (age 4) of Montoursville.
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville goaltender Mason Frye during a District 4 Class AA quarterfinal soccer game against Wellsboro on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at Loyalsock. , diving to block the shot.
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