Hometown Sports
Don't Miss

CD tops MC in boys soccer action

 

LEWISTOWN – After losing the first time 7-0 against Central Dauphin in the first half of the season, the Mifflin County boys soccer team provided a strong defense the second time around but still falling 3-0 at home Thursday afternoon.

Mifflin County goalkeeper Jonathan Suydam was tough in the goal area, capturing a total of 24 saves.

Offensively, the Rams were relentless in the Mifflin County back-third blasting a total of 42 shots on goal while the Huskies were limited to four.

In corner opportunities, Central Dauphin held the advantage by a tally of 19-0.

Nathan Smithers posted a two goal afternoon ,posting one in the first half and one in one in the second.

“In this league it surviving on defense, surviving and waiting for the opportunity and we’re still just not there yet to take advantage of the opportunities,” Mifflin County coach Robert Lepley said. “I am happy with this result. It’s much improved from the 7-0 result the first time we played them. We’re well organized in the back for the most part. The decision-making was pretty good. It’s an improvement.

In the first half, the Huskies opened with the ball and were able to move it across the field but it was short lived as the Rams went to work on offense and went down the field.

Mifflin County crowded the passing lanes and for most of the first half, leaving the Central Dauphin players shaking their heads in frustration.

Shot after shot, it was either Suydam or his backfield mates that stood tall and forced the ball out of bounds to slow down the pace.

Despite forcing numerous corner opportunities, the Rams could not break the defensive barrier for over 30 minutes.

With 9:20 left to go in the opening period, Central Dauphin found an opening they were looking for. Smithers got the ball following the seventh corner opportunity and hit a blazing shot to the opposite side of the goal, ending the scoreless stalemate.

But that would be the only goal of the first half as the Huskies’ defense regrouped and stood tall to end the first half, trailing just 1-0.

“They are a high press team. They play five in the middle field and two in the front so they are bringing seven with every attack. Tracking the runners and staying organized on defense and basically you have to stop the threat and wait. It just takes patience. ” Lepley said.

Central Dauphin led in the shots on goal department by a 24-2 margin and also held the advantage in corner opportunities by a 11-0 margin.

In the second half, the Rams came out firing while the Huskies’ offense had problems establishing a tempo.

With 28:25 left in the game, Central Dauphin added an insurance goal by Daniel Zhmurkin to increase the lead to 2-0. Zhmurkin picked up the ball on a rebound and sent it home.

Minutes later, the Rams added a third goal to put the game on ice to end the scoring.

Mifflin County is back in action Monday night at Mitchell Field at 7 p.m. It will be the Huskies’ senior night.

All youth players that wear their jersey will get in free and there will be a halftime game for the players.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.