For the second time in as many games, Montoursville's defense put on a shaky performance.
This time, though, it proved costly and Danville didn't give its lead away, winning, 3-2, over the Warriors at McCall Middle School.
"I know we've had a rough road, but sooner or later you have to grow up and let your mind take over and get through it," Montoursville coach Erin Bennett said. "I don't think we worked as hard as we needed to tonight."
Montoursville, playing in its sixth game in 10 days, opened with a strong surge, but deflated when Siobhan Bross booted a shot from distance that found the back of the net. Bross took advantage of an open line to goal that was created by Danville's spread out attack.
"We wanted to try and stay wide to take it down the sides and bring it back into the middle," Danville coach Tom Craig said. "It worked out well for us today."
Danville (7-3-1) recorded 15 shots, six on target, against a struggling Montoursville defense. The Warriors' aggressive style at times was lacking, which opened the door for the Ironmen.
"In the past two games we've given up six goals," Bennett said. "We need to fix those things that are going on."
The Warriors (10-2, 7-2 HAC-I) tied the score at 1-1 when Taylor Eshbach took advantage of a Lana Spitler feed across the goal. The pass moved Danville's keeper out of position, giving Eshbach an an easy tap-in goal. Eshbach scored on a similar pass from Spitler in the second half for her fifth goal in two games.
In both instances, though, Danville responded.
Sheldby Freedman took advantage of a Zina Knight cross when she jumped over the defense to head a ball to the near post. Freedman, who repeatedly beat defenders with her size in the box, easily sent the ball over the keeper for a 2-1 Danville lead.
"We held a lot of possession today," Craig said. "They were able to move with the ball at their feet. We wanted to keep it simple and the girls played really well tonight."
Freedman helped the Ironmen regain the lead in the second half when she pushed the ball up for a chance on goal. Montoursville's defense stopped the initial challenge, but failed to collect the rebound. Laurel Krajewski, though, was at the right place to find the loose ball and give Danville a much-needed win.
"This game is a great confidence builder for us," Craig said. "We had a really bad episode in Selinsgrove and this game will really build our confidence for the postseason."
D-Siobhan Bross (unassisted), 9:31; M-Taylor Eshbach (Lana Spitler), 10:30; D-Shelby Freedman (Zina Knight), 19:45; M-Eshbach (Spitler), 47:36; D-Laurel Krajewski (unassisted), 62:48.
Shots: D 15 M 16. Shots on goal: D 6 M 10. Corners: D 3 M 2. Saves: D (Hanna Harris) 8 M (Marissa Folk) 3. Fouls: D 24 M 15.
Records: Danville 7-3-1. Montoursville 10-2 (7-2) Next: Midd-West at Montoursville, Monday, 4 p.m.
