Warriors beat Lewisburg in penalty kicks
Oct. 31—DANVILLE — The worst part about Tuesday's game featuring No. 3 seed Lewisburg and No. 2 Montoursville was that one team's season ended with a loss.
The Green Dragons and Warriors battled throughout an even match at Ironmen Stadium, with both teams refusing to let a shot in the net after 110 minutes in the District 4 Class 2A semifinals.
However, the Warriors outlasted the Green Dragons, 4-3 in the shootout, and advanced to Thursday's district championship against No. 1 seed Central Columbia. The Blue Jays blanked No. 5 Warrior Run, 7-0, in the other semifinal. Montoursville avenged last year's district semifinal overtime loss to the Green Dragons.
"I don't know who came up with that idea, but it sucks," Lewisburg coach Fernando Ortiz said of suffering a season-ending loss. "Especially after a well-fought game, in my opinion. We dominated probably most of the game, but there was some good back-and-forth periods."
Each team netted two shots during the first round of five penalties. Then Emma Wood and Carlie Bryant had conversions for the Warriors to sandwich a make by Lewisburg's Alyssa Rivera. McKenna Eardley made a solid attempt in extending Lewisburg's season by lofting the ball up high, but Warriors goalie Anna Baylor extended her arms to punch Montoursville's ticket into the finals.
Teagan Osunde and Caroline Blakeslee were successful for the Green Dragons in their penalty shots.
Both teams had golden opportunities to score during regulation, but Baylor and Lewisburg goalkeeper Izzy Wood walled off their respective nets. Baylor stopped 10 shots, while Wood made four saves.
With the loss, five Lewisburg seniors have played in their final game, including Wood. The other seniors are McKenna Meadows, Ella Koontz, Kara Brazier and Addison Aloft.
"They've been big contributors," Ortiz said. "We're gonna miss them next year, so we just have to regroup and wait for next season."
Lewisburg (13-5-1) outshot Montoursville 14-11; the Warriors led 7-3 in corner kicks. Five of the Warriors' corners came in the second half.
Emma Cline had a great chance to end it for Montoursville (18-1) around the 13:15 mark of the first overtime period when she went one-on-one with Wood. However, her shot sailed left of the goal.
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DISTRICT 4 CLASS 2A GIRLS SOCCER
SEMIFINAL
At Danville High School
MONTOURSVILLE 0, LEWISBURG 0
(Montursville advances 4-3 in PKs)
Shootout
M: Kenna Bennett (miss), Natalie Bennett (miss), Paige Boyle (make), Emma Cline (miss), Nyle Kutney (make), Emma Wood (make), Carlie Bryant (make).
L: Maria Bozella (miss), Madison Vanbuskirk (miss), Teagan Osunde (make), Laurel Boyer (miss), Caroline Blakeslee (make), Alyssa Rivera (make), McKenna Eardley (miss).
Shots: L 14-11. Corners: M 7-3. Saves: Montoursville 10 (Anna Baylor); Lewisburg 4 (Izzy Wood).
