The Schuylkill League soccer championships on Thursday night at Rotary Field in Schuylkill Haven were all about one school, Blue Mountain. Their girl’s team won their championship game against Schuylkill Haven 2-1. The boy’s team defeated Pine Grove Area 3-0 in their title game. The girl’s program won their third straight league title while the boy’s team won their sixth straight.
Blue Mountain vs Schuylkill Haven (Girls Title)
In the Schuylkill League girl’s soccer championship game Thursday afternoon at Rotary Field, it was the Blue Mountain Eagles who came away victorious over the Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes by a score of 2-1.
The Hurricane offense was on the attack throughout the first half, totaling nine shots in the first 40 minutes. The defense for the Eagles mishandled some balls throughout the first half which caused the Haven attack to almost pay off, but goalkeeper Karley Koch made key saves and didn’t allow the Hurricanes to score.
The aggressive Hurricane attack finally paid off as Taylor Haag scored off an assist from Kylie Siket following a defensive miscue by the Eagles.
However, a halftime break was the only thing needed for Blue Mountain as they woke up, took the field, and dominated possession time in the second half.
Blue Mountain needed only six minutes and fifteen seconds to score as Hailey Scheuer scored off a corner kick. A little over 20 minutes later, Lexi Waschko found the back of the net off a rebound shot originally taken by Addie Warke.
Coach Matt Kenitzer said that his team needed to wake up at halftime and realize that there were only 40 minutes left to win a Schuylkill League title. “Strong possession, winning first balls, moving on and off the ball” was a key to success, Kenitzer added.
Winning a third league title doesn’t seem real according to Koch. Knowing that her team worked hard to win this felt great.
STATS
Shots (Blue Mountain 12, Schuylkill Haven 12)
Saves (Koch 10, Becker 10)
Corners (Blue Mountain 6, Schuylkill Haven 1)
GOALS
Schuylkill Haven – 5:07 – 1st half – Haag assisted by Siket
Blue Mountain – 33:45 – 2nd half – Scherer
Blue Mountain – 13:04 – 2nd half – Waschko
Blue Mountain vs Pine Grove Area (Boy’s Title)
For the nightcap on Thursday night, the boy’s program from Blue Mountain won their 6th straight Schuylkill League title, defeating the Cardinals of Pine Grove Area by a score of 3-0. This game could be described by one word, “floppy” according to some fans in attendance.
The attack for Blue Mountain was on display as soon as the whistle blew, almost scoring less than 30 seconds into the game. Possession throughout the early parts of the game was by far dominated by the Eagles. Blue Mountain may have been in constant attack mode, but the opposing goalkeeper, Peyton Renninger, made a lot of key saves to keep his team in the game.
With 8:56 left in the half, there was a push inside the box that awarded the Eagles a penalty kick. Drew Waschko scored to make the game 1-0. ”To get that first one in, felt good,” said Blue Mountain head coach Chris Brauer. Four minutes later, he strikes again, making it a two point lead for the Eagles. The second goal felt even better to Brauer. In the last minute and a half, Blake Batory of the Eagles received a yellow card, the first of three given out.
Less than four minutes into the second half, Aidan Varney strikes the top left corner to now make the Eagles lead 3-0. The second yellow card was given to Troy Mady of the Eagles, and the third was given to Terrin Witmer of Pine Grove Area.
Along with winning the league title, they also won the Founder’s Cup. This is the first year of this award, which is the league’s Stanley Cup rotated between champions every year.
STATS
Shots (Blue Mountain 11, Pine Grove Area 3)
Saves (Wargo 3, Renninger 8)
Corners (Blue Mountain 1, Pine Grove Area 6)
GOALS
Blue Mountain – 8:56 – 1st half – Waschko PK
Blue Mountain – 4:38 – 1st half – Waschko
Blue Mountain – 36:26 – 2nd half – Aidan Varney
