Boys soccer tops Sayre to advance to District Championship

By: Ed Weaver  /  October 30, 2013

The Wellsboro Varsity boys soccer team got a second half goal from Senior Dan Brooks to push the Hornets over the Sayre Redskins and into the District finals for the first time in school history.

Tuesday's game was similar to the prior two games this season in which both teams split with Sayre capturing the NTL Championship in the final game of the regular season.

Wellsboro's defense was the difference in the match. Sophomore Nick Webster, Junior Jack Chambers, and Junior Gillan Alafoginis all played excellent defense around NTL MVP Seth Murrelle to hold him and the rest of the Redskins scoreless. Junior Jake Mitchell saved all six shot attempts the Redskins took on the night to earn his 8th shut out of the season.

"It feels really good," Mitchell said. "It's always a great feeling. And this is a tough team, they played well and put on pressure. It feels good to get this one."

"I've said it before, but I'm so proud of these boys," said head coach John Shaffer. "This is my fourth year in charge and the current group of Seniors were Freshmen at that time and they bought into the program and believed in me and now the results are showing.

"We knew tonight's game would be close," Shaffer continued. "At out place we go them 2-1 and at their place they got us 1-0. Sayre has a great group of kids and I have a ton of respect for their entire team."

After Tuesday's victory, Wellsboro is guaranteed a berth in PIAA State playoffs and will face the undefeated Bloomsburg Panthers (21-0) for the District title Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Balls Mills complex in Williamsport.

"They're a quality team, quality players, quality coached. We know it's going to be the biggest challenge our program has ever faced. It comes down to just trying to play our soccer. If we bunker in against a team that good they're going to break us down. We just have to play our soccer and let the results be what it is," Shaffer concluded.