HUGHESVILLE - It's the edge all soccer teams walk during a match. Shots on goal symbolize a team's ability to create chances, but, at the same time, they also act as a constant reminder of what could have been.
The South Williamsport boys, who entered the District 4 Class A field as the 12th seed, will have a difficult time reflecting on the quality chances they created as the fifth-seeded Millville Quakers just needed to cash in on one of their chances for a 1-0 win to advance in the District 4 Class A playoffs.
"We got some of our guys in space and thought they had chances, but we just couldn't get that one to go in," South Williamsport coach Mike Rogers said.
Christian Cioffi, who led the South Williamsport attack throughout the second half, failed to pull the trigger on a clear shot that would have leveled the score at a goal apiece.
Cioffi beat his defender with a nice move, but took one too many touches in front of the goal. The extra dribble gave the defender time to regroup and block the attempt.
It was a quality chance, created by an impressive run by South Williamsport, but the fact remained all the build up meant nothing without an equalizing goal.
Cioffi though, wasn't done with just the one chance. He continued to push the South Williamsport attack, forcing two shots on goal and sending a perfect feed into Griffin Molino for a scoring chance.
As difficult as the near makes were for the Mounties to handle, Millville converting on its final chance of the first half was a little more of a challenge to deal with.
The Quakers punched in the match's decisive effort with under three minutes left in the first half when Richard Wood's attempt bounced off Rhian Kozen's hands and to the feet of David Sinegra, who quickly tapped the ball in for the game's only goal.
"We really struggled to get that goal," Millville coach Sandy Whispell said. "We are going to start making more goals, because now we need to and they know that."
South Williamsport was able to challenge Millville late with a flurry in front of the Quakers net. Dakota Rosenberg and Ryan Foran both sent shots at the goal, but failed to break through.
"I've never been prouder of the team than in the last 20 minutes," Rogers said. "The players did everything we asked of them and they definitely left it on the field."
M-David Sinegra (Richard Wood), 37:17.
Shots: SW 12 M 14. Shots on goal: SW 5 M 9 Corners: SW 0 M 5. Saves: SW (Rhian Kozen) 8 M (Britton Kittle) 5. Fouls: SW 16 M 10 Cards: SW none. M none.
Records: South Williamsport 8-11. Millville 11-5-2.
Next: Millville D4 playoffs TBA.
