Hornets run win streak to 7 games, double up North Penn-Liberty

By: Ed Weaver  /  September 27, 2018  /  Photo: The Home Page Network

The Wellsboro Varsity Boys Soccer team increased their win streak to 7 games by beating rival North Penn-Liberty 4-2 on Wednesday, September 26.

12 minutes into the game Wellsboro got on the scoreboard as senior Cam Tennis converted a direct kick from sophomore Will Poirier to take a 1-0 lead. Just over a minute later senior Brett Rudy dribbled into the keeper box and scored unassisted, putting the Hornets up 2-0.

"Anytime you can score early and get a little bit of a cushion it feels good," head coach Todd Fitch said. "Overall, I was very pleased with the boys execution in the match. Credit to Liberty, they took advantage of two of our miscues and converted the opportunities into goals."

Wellsboro maintained their 2-0 lead through the end of the first half and scored quickly to start the second. Just over two minutes into the half sophomore Kaeden Mann took a pass from Rudy and got his shot past the keeper to make it 3-0.

Despite holding a 3-0 lead the Mounties began crawling back to make the game interesting. With 12:01 remaining Liberty's Caiden Alexander cut the Hornets' lead to 3-1 as he cleaned up a blocked shot by Nathaniel Johnson.

Wellsboro added their final goal with 4:50 remaining as Poirier scored off an assist from Rudy to make it 4-1.

Liberty, however, struck against with 3:59 left in hopes of pulling off the upset as Johnson got a shot past senior Nate Redell to make it 4-2. Wellsboro hung on and ran out to clock to take the win.

Wellsboro took 17 shots on the evening compated to North Penn-Liberty's 5. Liberty edged Wellsboro 5-3 in corner kicks. Redell saved 4 shots in goal for Wellsboro and Nick Grinnell made 8 saves for the Mounties.

The JV game ended in a scoreless tie.

The win improves the Hornets to 7-3 (6-1 NTL) while the loss drops North Penn-Liberty to 3-3 (3-2 NTL). Wellsboro is back in action on Saturday, September 29 at Coudersport. North Penn-Liberty is on the road in Addison on Friday, September 28.