Hornets Shut Out Montoursville In Regular Season Finale, Capture NTL Crown

By: Ed Weaver  /  October 20, 2023

Coming into Thursday's non-league game with Montoursville, the Wellsboro Boys Soccer team had two goals. One, beat Montoursville and two, win at least a share of the NTL league championship. They accomplished both goals, shutting out the Warriors 2-0 and winning the league title outright in the process.

With Williamson, who the Hornets lost in the first game of the season and tied back on October 2nd, played to a 1-1 draw with Athens, who Wellsboro swept on the season, putting their league record at 9-1-2. Wellsboro finished with a 10-1-1 record in the league, and 14-3-1 overall. Wellsboro has now won three of the last four NTL Boys Soccer championships, defending last season's title.

"This was an important game and result for us. Our boys did a great job executing the game plan versus a quality team," said head coach Todd Fitch. "I'm very, very proud of the team's resiliency after dropping a league game in our season opener. Finishing the season as league champions seems like a fitting reward for the boys."

Wellsboro scored one goal in each half, starting with and own goal off a corner kick by junior Lucas Cuneo with 23:31 remaining. In the second, senior Jacob Abadi sent a shot past the Warrior goalie off junior Micaiah Fitch's direct kick, putting the Hornets up 2-0 midway through the second half.

Senior Mitchell Butler saved all eight of Montoursville's shot attempts on the evening for a clean sheet. Wellsboro took seven shot attempts and one corner kick.

Wellsboro won the JV game 2-1 behind goals from sophomore Jacoby Strang (Jude Cuneo assist) and freshman Mason Brill. The JV team concludes their season with a 10-2-2 record.

The Hornets, who currently sit in 4th place in the District IV Class 2A standings, await their opponent in the first round of playoffs beginning next week.