Hill, Runyan notch hat tricks in 10-2 win over Troy

By: Ed Weaver  /  October 6, 2016

The Wellsboro Varsity Boys Soccer team rebounded from their first loss in 9 games with a 10-2 win over Troy on Wednesday, October 5.

Senior Josiah Hill and junior Tanner Runyan both recorded hat tricks, and sophomore Brett Rudy scored 2 goals on the night. The Hornets took 26 shots on goal, while holding Troy to just 7 shots on goal. Senior Casey Hoover made 5 saves of the 7 shots attempted.

"I'm very happy with the boys tonight," said head coach John Shaffer. "I challenged them to keep the same level of intensity that they had against Athens. They came out on fire. The first 20 minutes was some of the best soccer I've seen them put together."

Rudy opened the scoring 3 minutes into the game as Rudy converted an assist from Runyan to put the Hornets up 1-0. Wellsboro's next 3 goals were all assisted by junior Gabe Leach. Runyan made it 2-0 with 34:57 remaining in the first, then Hill scored his first goal with 29:32 left on the clock. Senior Jacob Singer increased the lead to 4-0 at 27:32 and Runyan added his second goal to make it 5-0 Hornets with 19:28 remaining.

Troy eventually broke onto the scoreboard with 18:27 left in the first half on a goal from Seldon Rogers.

Wellsboro picked up in the second half where they left off in the first, adding 5 more goals to Troy's 1. Hill scored his second goal of the game at the 34:16 mark to make it 6-1, then Rogers to make it 6-2. From that point on, Wellsboro added 4 more goals. Rudy, Runyan, Hill, and senior Alex Freeman all scored to bring the final score to 10-2. Runyan assisted on Hill and Rudy's goals, Hill assisted Runyan to cap his hat trick at 24:37, junior Devin Webster assisted Hill's hat trick at 21:28, and Leach assisted on his fourth goal of the game on Freeman's goal with 2:56 remaining in the game.

In addition to outshooting Troy, the Hornets also had a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Wellsboro completed the sweep on the night as the JV team won 6-0 for their 10th (10-2-2) win of the season. Junior Nolan Lohr and freshman Conrad Becker each scored 2 goals, while sophomore Holden Kennedy and junior Brandon Plume scored the other 2.

The win improves the Hornets' record to 10-4 (8-3 NTL). The team will be back in action on Saturday, October 8 at Coudersport.