Scotties shut out Uniontown
ALVERTON – Six different players scored goals for Southmoreland on Monday night as the playoff-bound Scotties defeated visiting Uniontown 7-0. Despite the outcome, first-year Uniontown soccer coach Tom Walls said he has seen improvement and determination in the Red Raiders all season. “I give credit to our players, who worked hard the entire game, and we’ve been on the bottom end of the score in quite a few games.”
For Southmoreland (12-1-1, 13-3-1), it was a return to familiar territory as the Scotties qualified for the WPIAL playoffs once again after a one-year hiatus. Coach Marvin Stoner said the team isn’t fazed by missing a section co-championship by one-half game.
“That’s just the way it is,” Stoner said. “Our seniors have done a real good job this year. We’ve had good team leadership, and we’re playing well as a team right now.”
The Scotties got off to a quick start as senior Andrew Sikora scored the first of his two goals just 26 seconds into the game.
Uniontown (2-12-0, 3-15-0) was able to hold the Scotties at bay for nearly 16 minutes after Sikora’s score as senior goalkeeper Andrew Sparks stopped Sikora twice and made three additional saves. Defenders Aaron Krysak, Brett Krysak and Mario Laurito also provided help against several Scottie charges.
At the 16:15 mark, Uniontown was called for a violation in the box. Scottie goalkeeper Jeremy Hixson came on to take the shot, which just got through Sparks for a 2-0 lead. It was the most action Hixson saw, as the Scotties kept Uniontown without a direct shot in the first half.
Alex Leonard, Adam McKlveen, Giuliano Giacopetti, and Josh Millslagle added goals in the final 20 minutes of the half. Sikora added the final goal with 15:58 remaining in the game.
Chris Boucher had Uniontown’s best scoring chance in the first half, but missed just wide of the net. The Red Raiders had two shots on goalkeeper Brandon Galley in the second half.
Sparks made 19 saves, including stopping another penalty kick attempt by Giacopetti with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.
Walls said that Sparks will be missed next season. “He’s very agile and wiry. It’s unfortunate that he’s a senior. But our junior varsity goalkeeper, Kyle Ricter, has come a long way this year.”
The Red Raiders will play Laurel Highlands Thursday in a non-section game, while Southmoreland’s first round playoff opponent will be announced this afternoon.