How Fort LeBoeuf, General McLane girls soccer seasons ended in tough PIAA 2A bracket
WATERFORD — When the clock reached zero on Tuesday, most of the Fort LeBoeuf girls soccer players went to the ground.
Whether it was exhaustion from playing intense soccer trying to find the tying goal or emotions taking over because they were one goal short, reality set in quickly that their incredible season was over.
Their teammates ran onto the field to pick them up as the close group of Bison thought they'd have more time together this season.
South Park had other plans as the Eagles scored in the second half to beat LeBoeuf 2-1 in the PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first round at Carm Bonito Field.
“I really felt like we were going to bring it back and tie the score up and send it to overtime,” said LeBoeuf coach Bryan Kowalczyk. “South Park defended us well and this is a tough one.”
South Park (17-6-0) moves on to the quarterfinals on Saturday, while LeBoeuf ends the season 16-4-0.
Both teams had to adjust to some adversity early on as the Eagles ran into construction traffic in Pittsburgh this afternoon and didn't arrive until 5:45 p.m. for a scheduled 6 p.m. start. The officials gave South Park about 40 minutes to get off the bus, stretch and warm up for the match.
“We definitely have a specific warm-up that stretched out because of the late start but I don't think that had any effect on the outcome,” Kowalczyk said.
Both teams were a little slow to start, but LeBoeuf took a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute. Savannah Jones lifted a perfect corner kick into a group of Bison and Ashley Froess finished the play for a 1-0 lead.
South Park, however, kept the pressure up throughout the match with impressive corner set pieces.
“Their corners are phenomenal the way they serve the ball in and take their runs,” Kowalczyk said. “Those were some of the best we've seen all year.”
South Park tied the match five minutes later with an Emily Mihelcic goal started by a corner kick.
As time was ticking away in the second half, Allicia Riberich lifted a perfect corner kick into the net to give the Eagles the lead for good.
LeBoeuf says goodbye to a talented senior class that has helped develop the program over the past four years.
“I'll miss the leadership from these seniors and the fun they brought to the team,” Kowalczyk. “This team was hungry to get better every time and work for each other. They loved being around each other on and off the field and it's inspiring for the younger players coming through the program.”
General McLane falls on the road
At Avonworth, for the second time this season, Avonworth defeated General McLane in girls soccer.
The Antelopes, however, ended the Lancers' season on Tuesday.
Avonworth scored twice in the second half to beat General McLane 3-1 in the PIAA Class 2A first round.
Avonworth (19-1-2) moves on to the PIAA quarterfinals and General McLane ends the season 14-8-0.
Both teams scored in the first half as Reym Suroviec came through for the Lancers, but the Antelopes scored twice in the second half to pull away.
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Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @ETNreisenweber.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: PIAA girls soccer: Fort LeBoeuf, General McLane fall in tough 2A field
