Montoursville had several opportunities to score. Midd-West's chances were few and far between. But Midd-West made the most of its few chances.
Cheyenne Spade scored with less than five minutes to play and handed the defending PIAA?Class AA?fall champions their first loss of the season, 2-1 Monday afternoon.
"They outplayed us today, plain and simple, from start to finish," said Midd-West coach Gary Keister. "We didn't get off the bus today for whatever reason. I'm glad we got the win and got the heck out of dodge. Today the better team probably didn't win. They outplayed us."
Article Photos
Lauren Dawes of Montoursville and Cheyenne Spade of Midd-West battle for position to head the ball. View additional photos at cu.sungazette.com.
Midd-West got a lead late in the first half when Brittney Kuhns took a nice crossing pass from Allie Camp and found the back of the net, but that was the last real offensive threat for the Mustangs until late in the game.
Montoursville (3-1-1) came out in the second half and controlled possession and got several quality scoring opportunities but couldn't score. Midd-West keeper Abby Gesselman was busy for the last 40 minutes and ended the day with five saves.
"The whole theme of the day is that we did not finish our opportunities," said Montoursville coach Erin Bennett. "We got in behind the defense, we got in front of the goal. Everything was going over, right to the goalie, we didn't make it dangerous enough. We didn't take advantage of the opportunities that we have."
Montoursville knocked on the door and senior Lindi Crist finally knocked it down when she scored on a direct kick with 17 minutes to play.
The Warriors had the momentum but Spade made the Mustangs' one-hour trip to Lycoming County worth it. Spade got free and took a pass from Taylor Folk and found the back of the net to give her team a 1-0 lead with 4:31 left to play.
"Taylor Folk had a really good cross and the defender misplayed it and I got lucky," said Spade, a junior. "I had a rough game against Milton and I finally got a break today so I was extremely excited for the goal."
Spade's goal was just one of three shots on goal Midd-West had in the second half.
"You have to keep a look out for players like that because we knew she's dangerous," Bennett said. "We didn't want to get into a one-on-one situation. Our defense fell apart and that's what happened."
Montour continued to threaten and pressure after Spade's go-ahead goal but attempts fell a little short. Audra Larson had six stops in saves for the Warriors, who play Mifflinburg Wednesday.
The loss is the first for the Warriors since the District 4 semifinals. Montoursville has beaten Milton, Loyalsock, and Williamsport.
"They have to make a decision here about whether they're going to turn things around and go back out. A loss in the beginning of the season is certainly nothing to cry about but the level of play and the level of intensity needs to be better."
MW-Brittney Kuhns (Allie Camp), 36; M-Lindi Crist, 63; MW-Cheyenne Spade (Taylor Folk), 75:29.
Shots on Goal-M-8-3. Corners: MW-4-2. Saves: MW-5; M-6. Goalies: MW-(Abby Gessleman). M-(Audra Larson).
Records: Midd-West, 2-1. Montoursville, 3-1-1.
