Scotties too much for Red Raiders
ALVERTON — Both the Uniontown and Southmoreland boys soccer teams have been battling injuries this season. But while the Red Raiders’ injuries had them down to 11 players for Thursday’s Section 6-AA game, the host Scotties have plenty of numbers and are starting to get a few starters back in the lineup.
The teams battled through a steady drizzle at Russ Grimm Field as the Scotties did all the scoring in the first half to down the Red Raiders, 8-0.
With every one of his players going the entire 80 minutes without any available substitutes, Uniontown coach Ed Yauger said, “I’m very pleased. They were down 8-0 (at halftime) and conducted themselves very well. You can get angry and frustrated.”
Southmoreland (4-3, 3-6) broke through after nearly seven scoreless minutes in which James Rabon, Josiah Davis, and Josh Logan played well defensively in front of Uniontown’s freshman goalkeeper Carter Waligura.
Once the Scotties got going, they were on a roll. Senior Luke Zeleznik returned from an injury and scored the team’s first two goals. Michael Garlowich also scored twice to go with single goals by Nick Alexander, Tyler Fox, Phil Weinman, and Brock Bell.
Uniontown (1-6, 1-8) had three shots on Southmoreland goaltender Ty Kinter while Waligura made 15 saves, including a dead-on shot by Fox late in the first half.
Josh Logan, Colton Layhue, Ben Goodwin, and Tyler Conway stepped up for the Red Raiders in the second half as the teams played on even terms.
Southmoreland coach Chris Fabian said his team is hanging on in a tight playoff race in Section 6-AA. “We play all the teams ahead of us in a row,” Fabian said. “It’s going to be tough. Every game we’ll have to be ready to go. We’ve had no major injuries but a few things and concussions that we’re lowly working back from.”
Yauger said his team’s numbers were down to the minimum number because of injuries and a previously-scheduled commitment by one player on Thursday that couldn’t be broken.
“We’re trying to hang tough,” Yauger said. “We have kids who want to play in the junior high. But we started this season with 14 players and that’s tough.”