Hornets Complete Season Sweep of Athens, Win 4-1

By: Ed Weaver  /  October 12, 2023

The Wellsboro Boys Soccer team broke a 1-1 halftime tie to defeat Athens 4-1, completing the season sweep, on Wednesday, October 11.

The win was head coach Todd Fitch's 75th career win.

"We were a bit shaky at the start and Athens capitalized," said Fitch. "I was real pleased with the poise and resolve the boys showed to score three unanswered goals in the second half and limit Athens opportunities at goal. A good win to end our league schedule."

The Wildcats took the lead first with 22:22 remaining in the opening half on a dead-center goal by Nick Grazul, assisted by Korey Miller. Wellsboro answered back with 10:59 left in the half on a shot from junior Micaiah Fitch, assisted by senior Caden Smith, tying the game up at 1-all. The score remained tied the rest of the half, however Wellsboro opened up the flood gates in the second half to put the game away.

Nine minutes into the second half Fitch and Smith to break the tie, then junior Lucas Cuneo deflected a Fitch direct kick past the Wildcat keeper, giving the Hornets a 3-1 lead with 26:33 to go. The Hornets capped the scoring with 51 seconds remaining by junior Alex Citrino, assisted by senior Jacob Abadi.

Wellsboro out shot Athens 12-3 and had a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. Senior Mitchell Butler made 3 saves in goal.

In the JV game the Wildcats won 3-2, handing the Hornets their first loss of the year (9-1-1). Freshman Mason Brill, assisted by freshman Kayden Pearson, tied the game at 1-all with 8 minutes left in the first half. Later in the second, freshman Jacob Smith scored unassisted with 11 minutes left in the game, again tying it back up.

Wellsboro improves to 12-2-1 (10-1-1) after the win. The team hosts Selinsgrove on Saturday morning.