Uniontown soccer picks up first victory over Brownsville
Brownsville's Ian Mizerak (17) and Uniontown's Lee McDonald battle for possession during Thursday's game at Bill Power Stadium.
Brownsville's Byron Mayers pushes the ball up the field for the Falcons during their game Thursday against Uniontown at Bill Power Stadium.
Uniontown's David Kriebol heads the ball for the Red Raiders Thursday during their game against Brownsville at Bill Power Stadium.
Brownsville's Courtney Yocabet (4) keeps the ball away from Uniontown's Dez Harris during their game Thursday at Bill Power Stadium.
Austin Wivell scored three goals to lead Uniontown to its first win of the season over Brownsville, 3-1, in a Section 6 game at Bill Power Stadium.
Brownsville (0-7, 0-4) opened up the scoring in the eighth minute, after Uniontown goalkeeper Carter Waligura received a yellow card for excessive contact. On the ensuing free kick from just outside the penalty box, Matt Watson buried a goal in the bottom right corner, just off Waligura’s outstretched fingers.
The Falcons would hold the lead for only six minutes, as Uniontown’s Wivell scored the first goal in the 14th minute. Wivell took a long cross, ran fifteen yards down the left side, and buried a short strike in the bottom right of the net.
After an even series of play filled with several offside calls, Wivell scored number two in the 17th minute. Wivell took a shot from about 21 yards out, and put it in the right side to give Uniontown a 2-1 lead.
“It was within range,” said Wivell. “I figured it was worth a shot, and it happened to just curve in.”
Wivell capped off his hat trick in the 44th minute, using his left foot to drill a 10-yard shot into the right corner of the net. Wivell credits his team’s effort for his success.
“We had hustle and possession all night, and the defense did a great job keeping the ball on the offensive side of the field,” said Wivell.
Uniontown coach Eric Dolfi says his team rode Wivell, who has a nickname fit for star performances.
“I call Wivell ‘Hollywood,'” said Dolfi. “I told him I needed one goal, and when he scored, I said I needed two, and then he scored again, and I said I need three. It worked out well.”
Red Raider (1-4, 1-2) sophomore captain Waligura made eight saves in the win.
Brownsville coach Shalan Gottschalk was disappointed with his team’s effort, after giving up the early lead, and says they played a bit passively.
“They gave up,” said Gottschalk. “After getting a goal down they tend to be on their heels a lot. They just played kickball at the end.”
Brownsville has been dealing with injury issues to its goalkeepers, and was forced to put Morgan Sheranek in net, a newcomer to the position.
“We had four goalies, but we put someone in who wasn’t even a keeper,” said Gottschalk. “We were just hoping for something.”
The Falcons, who field a co-ed team, since there is no girls team at Brownsville, were at a clear athletic disadvantage all night. Gottschalk says it’s a problem his team is forced to deal with, and has to adapt.
“You’re always going to have the disadvantage,” said Gottschalk. The other team is going to have the advantage every time. You have to find a way to be competitive, or there’s no way you’ll be able to keep up.”