Hornets top Galeton 3-2 in double overtime thriller

By: Ed Weaver  /  October 10, 2018  /  Photo: The Home Page Network

It took nearly 100 minutes of play, but the Wellsboro Varsity Boys Soccer team upended Galeton 3-2 in double overtime on Tuesday, October 9.

"We knew coming in that our result at Galeton last Thursday was not a true reflection of their team," head coach Todd Fitch said. "Unfortunately, we were not as sharp at the start of the match tonight as when we played Galeton last week and they capitalized with two first half goals. To our boys' credit, they continued to believe in themselves and were able to chip away and create an opportunity to win in overtime."

The Tigers took an early lead not even 4 minutes into the game. Jake Cochran scored the opening goal after receiving a pass from Ty Stover to make it 1-0. Later in the first, Cochran assisted Isaiah Shuemaker to make it 2-0 with 22:37 remaining.

With 17 minutes left, sophomore Will Poirier sent a shot deep into Galeton territory that was gathered by sophomore Kaeden Mann. Mann passed to senior Brett Rudy, then Rudy sent a shot past the keeper to pull the Hornets within a goal.

Eight minutes into the second half Wellsboro struck again. This time Mann scored to knot the score at 2-2. Off a Poirier throw in to senior Holden Kennedy, Kennedy found Rudy in the corner, Rudy then passed it back to Kennedy for the shot. Galeton's Brandon Ruef made a tremendous save, but Mann was there to clean it up.

Neither team scored in the remainder of regulation sending the game into overtime. The first overtime period was scoreless and the second one was scoreless until under one minute remaining. Mann eventually came up with the ball deep in Galeton territory. As he scanned the field he found sophomore Joseph Grab for the game-winning goal with 33 seconds left.

The JV game concluded in a 1-1 tie with Wellsboro's goal scored by sophomore Cameron Littleton.

The win improves the Varsity team's record to 10-3 (8-1 NTL). The team is back in action this evening at Towanda.